Zamastanian athletes are preparing for their debut in the IDU Olympics, being held in Shuell in August. Zamastan is sending 110 athletes, competing in every available sport with varying degrees of technique, and are expected to face at least 6 other countries as of now, although more nations will be inevitably joining in the coming weeks. So far, Libertas Omnium Maximus, Comhar, Christos, United New England, Lauchenoiria, Kerlile, and Kvask have entered the sporting events alongside host nation Shuell and Zamastan. Sanctaria, who’s entrance was long awaited, decided not to send athletes, sending confusion throughout the sporting community. Another interesting development came in the form of Kerlile, who’s restrictive society surprisingly has begun to thaw tensions with their new election outcomes, allowing for greater civil rights for men and easing of sanctions from the international community.
Zamastan is sending some of its best known and well-respected sportsmen and women to the games, with expectation being especially heavy set on 1500m Athlete, Samantha Forrester, who is ranked first in Zamastan for long distance track and field running. She is expected to perform exceptionally during the games, with a given skill of 1 point – the highest possible (points were awarded during testing from 0.01-1). The men’s and woman’s soccer teams are also highly rated and face fierce competition, with association football being one of the most anticipated shows. The men’s basketball team is ranked as one of the best teams in the International Democratic Union, and the two individual boxers – Jack Massey and Cora Kurry – are both ranked at 1. Tennis star Tenny Milwari is looking to make her mark on international sporting, also scoring 1.
The worry, however, for the remainder of the athletes is that many – 58 of the athletes – scored 0.3 or less, with 32 of them scoring a 0.1. Time and event will tell whether the preliminary scores are relative to their performance in the games, but it is “something to be wary about”, according to one of the athletes who scored 0.1, Dak Wenser, the male individual diving member.