Keri Herman can't get Sochi sponsorships because she is 30

Some people say 30 is the new 20. Well, not in the world of Olympic sponsorships.

Keri Herman can certainly attest to that. The 31-year-old slopestyle skier had to fund her trip to the Sochi Olympics without a sponsorship. Herman said it was because of her age, according to the Denver Post.

“I can't get a sponsor. I can't get an agent. I've been told – over and over – I'm too old. Everyone says they don't care about the Olympics and they want to base their team around younger athletes,” she explained. “It's so frustrating for me because I can win. I can do everything that I should be doing as a pro and I'm struggling. It's so hurtful and it's so hard. I need to find another job.”

How bad did things get? Well, Herman apparently had to bum 15-year-old teammate Maggie Voisin’s pants and broken ski boots just to compete. Herman didn’t want anyone feeling badly for her.

“This isn't about sponsors though,” she said. “I'm here because I absolutely love skiing. Every day I think to myself, 'Wow, this is so great. I am so lucky.' Sure I need a second job to support myself but I'm here because I love skiing and I could not think of any other way to be happier.”

Herman’s run ended with a 10th-place finish after qualifying for the women’s skiing slopestyle.