I think that’s true for a lot of non-popular sport. More often than not you have to train yourself to represent the country that don’t pay you much attention. I remember stories about some athletes(fencing i think) having to juggle between job and training, and some sport barrier of entry is quite high, so athletes tend to have a hard time giving up. You’re not seen if you don’t win a gold, and you’re expect to fund yourself and pave the way yourself.

This is one of the article talking about the issue.