Kenderis and the other mysteriously fast Greeks

puckar up? do you really think you're faster and more athletic than i am?

my point was that not every black guy in the world is faster than every white guy in the world--you have to be a real moron to think so.

thank you, it's about time someone started making sense, it's not natural there are other factors n why all of these people are running fast. People just dont want to look beyond the most "obvious".

ChrisP ? perhaps in re-reading your post you will understand why people are so reluctant to concede to the racial pseudo-science so often spout as fact.Both Meb Keflezighi and Abdi Abdirahman, unquestionably the top male American distance runner of the moment, are Americans of African descent, making them ? wait for it ? African-American. The terms "black" and "African-American" are political, not scientific, creations. It is pure folly to paint every citizen of this planet with similar skin pigmentation with the same brush. Here in England, I suspect British citizens from the sub-Continent make up about 5-10% of the population. But they probably represent about 80% of the owners of corner shops. Does this indicate a genetic pre-disposition for selling fags and lottery tickets? Or is it simply a matter of timing, opportunities and social custom?Don?t assume ? as many have already ? the science has ceased to advance. Forty years ago, you could read to your heart?s content about the genetic superiority of Finns and their Scandinavian brethren, so dominant was their hold on endurance events (and there are more endurance events than just the marathon, as Olav Koss and Vladimir Salnikov will attest ? P.S. look them up). In forty years hence, I suspect we?ll witness the latest scientific research extolling the genetic powers of the South-Asian distance runners. I won?t believe it then, and I don?t believe it now. I?ll simply pop my video of Nils Schumann?s 800m victory in Atlanta (the ultimate footrace combining speed and endurance) and remember that races are run on the track.Martin

Nice post.

Being from Norway off course I know who Johann Olav Koss is. I also know that if you look at men?s XC skiing the last decade Norway has been dominating (the few people that did beat them were later caught for EPO usage) completely. XC skiers all over the world train just as hard as the Norwegians, yet they don?t dominate the same way (at least not for such an extended period of time). IMHO this is due to tradition and culture, not genetic differences.

A few years ago a young sub 28:00 10k (and 1:46 800m) Kenyan picked up XC skiing . He even came to Norway to learn from the best, and to use the latest and greatest equipment. He now trains in Finland. After 3 years of hard training he still finished last in every international event. His name is Phil Boit.

http://www.canoe.ca/SlamNaganoGalleryArchive/feb12_x3.html

My point is that culture, tradition, mindset, and belief are also very important factors, and can make up for some of the genetic differences.

-Clay

he's been studying the sport for 3 years whereas the local boys have been exposed to it their entire lives, he's from a country that it doesnt snow in. Your argument is completely flawed.

Hey Martin

For someone with such insight into the workings of the world - it would appear you are a fool. For Schumann won the Olympics in Sydeny 2000 - in 1min45.0 a good race - yet one of the slowest since 68 - only marginally slower than a poor 1980 race - hardly a great footrace you buoffant. The winner in 96 was in fact Rodahl of Norway - who ran the Olympic record - 1min42.69 off the top of my head - perhaps the 100th of a second figure is out. Black sprinters are faster than white sprinters - know your role - shut your mouth - if ya smellalalalow what the rock is cookin.

Mr. Zak

I have to admit, despite your faux-Ebonics, you do have a point: Schumann won in Sydney; Rhodal won in Atlanta. Forty lashes for me. (Not that pointing out Rhodal ? a white Norwegian - won the 8 in Olympic record time actually counters my argument, but that's a different matter altogether.)

However, I have to correct the latter portion of your post; I didn't say that ?black? sprinters weren't faster than white sprinters (in fact, observational evidence would clearly suggest that American sprinters were better than everyone). What I did say - or at least infer - was that I don't believe 'black' (whatever that term might mean) men or women are genetically pre-dispositioned to overachieve in sports requiring speed or endurance.

I stand by that.

Martin

No one has pointed out the study on how blacks had an "extra tendon" that supposedly made them better leapers. Don't know if this study was completely disproven but what about high jumpers? I know there have been some great black high jumpers, including a guy who I think jumped higher over his head than anybody, but there are loads of great white high jumpers, which is a measure of explosive ability, just like sprinting.

As someone previously mentioned, confidence can't be neglected. I've been in predominantly black communities and predominantly white communities, but without a doubt the black guy thinks and believes he can take the white guy on the basketball court, and all too often, thinking makes it so. On the other foot, of course, is the understated Canadian: better on rollerblades, iceskates or feet as long as he's got a hockey stick in his glove.

Confidence is a big key.

To just note for a moment that there was a post about Norway -- man if there was a way to compare the star distance runners with Bjorn Daehlie, holder of 12 Olympic medals in cross-country skiing through 3 Olympics and regarded as the best cross-country skier ever, that would be sweet. Daehlie was once found to have a larger lung capacity than Indurain or Armstrong, and I personally witnessed him ski the last 200m of the 50km freestyle about as fast as Michael Johnson runs it, whereby he passed out when he crossed the finish line.