We do not know how or why genetic resistance to acute &/or chronic altitude sickness correlates with success at this time. I did not state nor did I imply increased VO2max. In T&F and road racing, events 3000m to 1/2 Marathon, some runners are able to function well running at (82.5 to 85)% V02 max, others are able to function well running at (92.5 to 95)% VO2 max, same or similar training. We cannot ignore the discomfort while aerobic. Cannot ignore aerobic pain tolerance near anaerobic state. Some can handle it, some cannot. Are you making a case for Olympic finals consisting of over half sea level runners again soon, 5000m & 10000m? Maybe the altitude genes help over final 300m or final 700m in ways yet known? Final 300m &/or final 700m, who cares about vVO2 or VO2. Final 300m, throw vV02 & V02 calculations out the window. Final 300m, ask Eamonn Coghlan, 1980 5000m Olympic final; ask Lasse Viren, 1980 10000m Olympic final about importance of vVO2 &/or VO2. Science obviously is more complicated than Canova &/or Daniels can comprehend. They don't have all the answers. We just do not know. What we do know: some Ethiopian men & women, some Kenyan men & women and some Ugandan men & women have raced very fast 5000m & 10000m over the past 30 years and runners from those nations have earned many Olympic & World Championship medals in 5000m & 10000m.