It would depend on whether the child had the motivation, the burning desire to achieve. If they had that fire in them I would do my best to facilitate that.

However, I would not split up the family under any circumstances.

If I was having to coax them out of bed every morning for swimming training or whatever I wouldn't be busting a gut, IYKWIM. It would have to be clear to me that they were willing to put in the hard yards and if they were, then by all means.

I particularly would be against my son being a professional footballer but if it was what he wanted I wouldn't feel right about preventing that. If they have the ambition and drive, good on them.