Are Champions Born Or Made?

Abstract

Champions hold the world’s attention and their performances both inspire and generate curiosity. Whether they are born champions or are the product of scientific training mechanisms and tremendous hard work is a debate that rages on with every convincing victory that throws up an invincible winner. Sporting history is replete with examples where the sporting fraternity was forced to research characteristics and traits that marked their invincibility. Some studies showed that the complete domination of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners in the middle- and long-distance events and Usain Bolt’s phenomenal success could also be attributed to their higher haemoglobin and slow twitch muscle fibres suited for endurance running and speed. Many believed that Michael Phelps’s wider wingspan, and unique genetic disposition of producing less lactic acid gave him an unfair advantage over his competition. There are many such examples that keep bringing back the question – are champions made or born? The more pragmatic researchers who emphasize on scientific training, hard work and personal motivation too have not been able to dismiss the role of genetic predisposition. Given the level of competition and hard work that these champions endure to become winners makes this an interesting case study. This paper analyses the complex interplay between the roles played by genetic disposition and training in an athlete’s performance.