Shooting (approximately $700,000 to $1.5 million a year)Professional shooters average anywhere between 500-1,000 rounds a day at $16 per 25 shots for targets and ammunition, according to Kim Rhode, who holds the world-record for winning five consecutive medals. That comes to $5,000-7,000 a day in full trainingProfessional shooters average anywhere between 500-1,000 rounds a day at $16 per 25 shots for targets and ammunition, according to Kim Rhode, who holds the world-record for winning five consecutive medals. That comes to $5,000-7,000 a day in full training. A gun can cost anywhere between $6,000 to $300,000. Rhode spent between $20,000-$30,000 on her custom gun.Reuters/Sergio MoraesSailing ($500,000+ a year)Funding the race to the Olympics is not all smooth sailing for competitive seamen. Five-time Olympian Richard Clarke from Canada has two Star boats, each costing him $90,000, not including the $4,000 in sails. Even after raising $32,000 through a “Get onFunding the race to the Olympics is not all smooth sailing for competitive seamen. Five-time Olympian Richard Clarke from Canada has two Star boats, each costing him $90,000, not including the $4,000 in sails. Even after raising $32,000 through a “Get on the Boat” campaign, he and his crewmate are still $30,000 short of their goal for the 2012 Olympics.Reuters/Pascal LauenerEquestrian ($100,000 a year + the cost of the horse)Riding horses is expensive no matter what level you’re at. They say buying the horse – which can run up to $100,000 for a show breed – is the cheapest part. After that, there are annual costs for stabling and grooming ($10,000-$40,000), vet costs ($1,500-Riding horses is expensive no matter what level you’re at. They say buying the horse – which can run up to $100,000 for a show breed – is the cheapest part. After that, there are annual costs for stabling and grooming ($10,000-$40,000), vet costs ($1,500- $4,000), equipment ($5,000-$7,000), shoeing ($1,800), training lessons ($300/hour), and club membership (varies). On top of all that, there is a hefty fee for entering competitions ($800-1,000), not to mention the travel expenses to get the team and the stable there. According to Bloomberg, in total, owning a show horse can set you back $174,631.Reuters/Mike HutchingsArchery ($25,000 a year)How much can a bow and arrow cost? After all, it was the choice weapon of Robin Hood, guardian of the poor. But today, archery can set competitors back $2,000 in equipment costs. An Olympian archer typically trains by shooting 250 shots a day, six days aHow much can a bow and arrow cost? After all, it was the choice weapon of Robin Hood, guardian of the poor. But today, archery can set competitors back $2,000 in equipment costs. An Olympian archer typically trains by shooting 250 shots a day, six days a week, according to Forbes, and shooting range fees can cost about $10 per hour, while coaching fees range from $40-$100 an hour. On top of that, traveling to regional competitions can cost $3,000 each trip.Reuters/Suhaib SalemSwimming ($100,000 a year)A swimmer’s uniform (either the high-tech Speedo LZR swimsuit or Speedo Fastskin3), can cost from $400 to $550 (for an average of six wears), and goggles can cost around $100, but it’s only a fraction of what Olympic swimmers spend. Swimmers at the BaltimA swimmer’s uniform (either the high-tech Speedo LZR swimsuit or Speedo Fastskin3), can cost from $400 to $550 (for an average of six wears), and goggles can cost around $100, but it’s only a fraction of what Olympic swimmers spend. Swimmers at the Baltimore aquatic club where Michael Phelps has trained pay between $1,500 and $3,000 a year in membership fees. When they’re not in the pool they are either working out at $30 to $50 a session or traveling to swim meets at about $5,000 per trip. Twelve-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres spends around $100,000 a year for her training, according to The New York Times.Reuters/Toby MelvilleFencing ($20,000 a year)While fencing doesn’t come with too much baggage – just a sword and uniform –a full uniform can cost upwards of $1,000, and blades cost about $100 each. For lessons, expect to spend around $100-$150 a month. Maya Lawrence, a 32-year-old Olympic fencer froWhile fencing doesn’t come with too much baggage – just a sword and uniform –a full uniform can cost upwards of $1,000, and blades cost about $100 each. For lessons, expect to spend around $100-$150 a month. Maya Lawrence, a 32-year-old Olympic fencer from Teaneck, N.J., typically practices four hours a day, six days a week and travels to big competitions four or five times a year, which adds up to about $20,000 a year, including equipment, according to Forbes.Reuters/Damir SagoljGymnastics ($18,000 a year)Gymnastics is notorious for plucking girls in the prime of their youth for elite training in Olympic gyms that can cost $200-500 a month, plus about $1,000 a month for coaching and traveling over 10-12 years. Dominique Moceanu, who was on the first U.S. wGymnastics is notorious for plucking girls in the prime of their youth for elite training in Olympic gyms that can cost $200-500 a month, plus about $1,000 a month for coaching and traveling over 10-12 years. Dominique Moceanu, who was on the first U.S. women’s gymnastics team to win gold in 1996, recently published her first book about the high financial and emotional toll of competing since age 14 (now illegal). In 2006, she was denied permission to return to Nationals by USA Gymnastics due to a back injury, and therefore lost her funding to continue training.Reuters/Mike Blake
