Steventm wrote:
There are thousands of somali, ethiopian, and eritrean teenagers and children in the US. Why are they not dominating the prep ranks if it is genetic? (I admit that an Ethioian kid just broke the freshman 2 mile record, but I am talking in generalities.)
Ok, that's a good point......to a point. (and this also to the poster E, who said he agreed with me more or less).
So yes, current environment plays some role in a runner's development, because, like you said, there are East Africans here, training in the US environment, and they are not as dominant as they are back home. Ok, current evironment plays A role.
But if you want East Africans that have moved here as kids and HAVE had success here, there ARE plenty.
Meb K and Abdi A were/are two of our very best distance runners for the US in the last 15 years. Where are they from?? That's right, East Africa.
Abdirizak Mohammed was the first (and with Ritz, one of only two) boys to win Footlocker twice.
Said Ahmed is turning into one of our better milers in the country.
Where are they from?? That's right, East Africa.
And there are many others. So.........if current environment was THE main advantage that the East Africans had, and the main reason the US runners do not do as well, then these people I mention would not have succeeded once they were "out of Africa" and in the US. But they succeeded superbly.
And there are many, many Kenyans and Morrocans who have moved here as adults to live and train, and they have continued to thrive as great runners here. So again, if current environment is the key to success, shouldn't they all fall flat once they get here???
Clearly they are extremely TALENTED, born with genes that make them naturally at/or near the top of the heap. And THAT has to do not with CURRENT environment, but with THE ENVIRONMENT OF ONE'S ANCESTORS. Just because an Ethiopian does not live at altitude NOW, does not mean he did not inherit the genes which allow Ethiopians to have fully oxygenated blood (equal to what a white person has at sea level) even at 10,000+ feet. Take them "out of Africa" and they still have those genes, because their ancestors lived in the highlands for 100,000 years.
So training, current environment and genes (related to historical environment of one's ancestors/family) ALL play roles of course. But deny the talent/genetic factor. It exists plain and simple, and it is silly to try to remove it from the equation.