New York (CNN) -- A country with a Mediterranean climate and sparse snowfall, Israel is seldom considered a viable competitor in winter sports. So when Roman Zaretsky and his sister Alexandra take the ice in Vancouver on Friday, they will be skating for more than just a medal. The ice dancing pair hope to show the world that Israel can be a fierce competitor, no matter what the season. For Roman Zaretsky, 27, the weather was never a deterrent and competing in the Winter Games was always the goal. "I always knew I wanted to be in the Olympics, since I was 10," Zaretsky says.
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Brother and sister team is representing Israel in ice dancing
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Roman and Alexandra Zaretsky hope to inspire kids in Israel to take up the sport
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Born in Belarus, they moved to Israel, but came to U.S. for better training facilities
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They were 22nd at the 2006 games but feel they can do better in Vancouver
Training @placeholder athletes can bear a hefty price, because there is also a lot of work done off the ice.