My country doesn't participate in IOI even though basically all of its neighbours do, including those that aren't as 'prosperous'. However, I am pretty sure that the reason they do not participate is because of the cost, and also because basically nobody does the national OI.

Do you think it would be possible for me to convince officials to send a team to IOI 2023? I can pay for the trip myself if need be. I still plan to try and convince local government officials to attend future IOIs even if I can't attend myself.

I would also appreciate it if someone could answer these questions:

• Does the team need to be selected through the national OI, or can any eligible contestants go?
• Would it be feasible for a country to sign up for IOI right now and be able to participate in IOI '23?
• Do you have any other answers/information that might be important or help me convince the government officials?

I'm asking because I checked my country's rankings, and I was surprised to find that I am the highest-ranked out of all eligible Codeforces users. I am confident I would be able to perform well at the IOI, and hope that I will be able to since it is my last year that I am eligible.

Even if I am not able to participate, I still want to approach government officials and see whether the country might be able to participate in the future. I just want my country to be represented at IOI now, and in the future.

Thank you very much to anyone who responds.