One thing that makes an Olympic medal harder to win is that you only get a chance to do it every four years. Depending on the sport and the athlete, that may only be a once in a lifetime shot.
Look at Phaneuf...Canada decided to go with a veteran-heavy team in 2006, so Phaneuf and Crosby didn't make the team even though they arguably could have. Then, by 2010, his game had dropped off enough that he didn't make the team; and in 2014, he wasn't even in the discussion. If he was two years older, or two years younger, so that his 2008 season was an Olympic year, he would have easily made the team.
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