Matt Neumann has perfected the role of the starving athlete.
The Prince George biathlete balances training and competition with a part-time job at a Canmore golf course as he works to earn his Olympic ticket to Sochi, Russia in 2014.
"The biggest question I have to ask myself is if I'm going to make $15,000 a year do I want to spend it all on biathlon?" said Neumann. "It's definitely on on-going question."
The 22 year old earns about $8-10,000 each year with the rest of his financial support coming from sponsorships and his parents generosity. It costs Neumann about $20,000 each year to continue to put in the work to pursue his dream.
"Right now I'm committing for two more years to see if I can go to the 2014 Olympics," said Neumann. "It basically comes down to money if I would continue to 2018. It'll have to be enough so there's not a constant struggle of fighting for every dollar."
In 2014 Neumann will be 24, which is relatively young for biathletes. Neumann would likely reach his peak in 2018 or even in time for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games as the average age for a World Cup biathlete is 28 or 29.
Lack of finances cost Neumann a chance to compete on the Canadian national biathlon team in 2011 after he qualified for a two-week European tour but had to back out because he didn't have $6,200 for the trip.
One of Neumann's goals for the upcoming biathlon season is to place in the top 16 of four International Biathlon Union (IBU) Cup events, which would mean he'd be a nationally carded athlete and receive $9,000 in the first year and $18,000 in the second year.
"There's a lot of pressure to make that criteria but qualifying for that criteria makes a big difference," he said, adding he placed in the top 16 once last season and had three top 30 finishes in only four international races.
At an IBU Cup in Canmore, Neumann was the top Canadian in a field of about 74 competitors.
Neumann is a member of the Canadian National Development team and trains with the Rocky Mountain Racers ski team in Canmore, racing under the Caledonia Nordic moniker.
He's a six-time Canadian champion and recipient of the Premier's Athletic Award for Biathlon and the Pacific Western Brewery 2010 Hometown Heroes award.
Neumann was in his hometown Thursday where he was presented with a cheque for $4,673.39 from one of his Hometown Hero sponsors, Ramada Hotel Downtown Prince George. The money was raised through casual Fridays where employees paid $5 to wear blue jeans and a dinner, dance and silent auction. A food and wine pairing is planned for September.
Neumann began his off-season training, which involves running, cycling and roller-skiing, in May as he works towards hitting the standards of the carding system. Another goal for the 2012-13 season for Neumann is to earn a podium finish at nationals.
Despite the financial stress of budgeting his meager earnings, Neumann said he wouldn't change places with anyone.
"I can do school anytime I want and this is a definite window in my life to do this," he said.
