Genetics or Training???

Its all in the percentages people.....

Different population groups have different %'s of people who could be elite athletes and while the percentage is higher in some groups than others it does not preclude the possibility of someone from a less likely group having the same ability to be a top athlete - The statistical chance is just less.

There is no conclusive answer only one that lies in applying logic based on laws reflected in the overall population you are studying and then trying to eliminate external factors.

These would tend to indicate that certain groups are genetically suited to being athletes even after attempting to eliminate factors such as diet training social factors etc etc...

Overall however I dont think the perecentages are as significantly different as what is reflected if you read - your way down the world lists. What you are seeing here is a compounded effect of factors -

Well said

Poeple are forgetting that some of the best/most successful runners in the world (sprinters) are from America. So does that mean the American culture only adversely affects distance runners. Or, are they they only ones training hard. NO, there is a physiological advantage for sprinting if you come from West African heritage. Some of the best distance runners from America, France, Spain and other european countries are of NE African decent. How do you then say culture or effort is to blame.

Somaons are huge people= Many in the NFL

Yougoslavs one of the tallest popultaions= Many in the NBA