Olympic Trials, race of racers

[edro]

I have been watching the Olympic trials this weekend.

Women's 5000m, all racers are white.
Men's 5000m, all but 2 racers are white.
Women's 200m, all racers are black.
Men's 200m, all racers are black.

Physical, cultural, coincidence?

 

[CPA]

I was wondering the same thing.

Additionally, only one men's swimmer was black.

I think it's more culture than anything, but who knows. Honestly, I just want US to smash every team in every event in London.

 

[zerocool84]

I was wondering the same thing.

Additionally, only one men's swimmer was black.

I think it's more culture than anything, but who knows. Honestly, I just want US to smash every team in every event in London.

Exactly, when it's whole countries, race doesn't matter.

 

[edro]

Swimming is definitely cultural.

Distance vs sprint running might be cultural too.
Rural America probably has many more cross country programs.

 

[edro]

Exactly, when it's whole countries, race doesn't matter.

...but when its not international competition, you do care about race?
D:

lol

 

[sunzt]

Swimming is definitely cultural.

Distance vs sprint running might be cultural too.
Rural America probably has many more cross country programs.

Distance vs sprint is definitely physical, not cultural. It is well understood and accepted that blacks have a physical strength advantage, but Caucasians have endurance/stamina advantage. The exception is some of those Kenyan runners, but that could be due to the physical environment.

 

[Triumph]

Distance vs sprint is definitely physical, not cultural. It is well understood and accepted that blacks have a physical strength advantage, but Caucasians have endurance/stamina advantage. The exception is some of those Kenyan runners, but that could be due to the physical environment.

I notice Americans speak very low of black people and generally lack respect for the culture, why are african americans so respected in European countries yet scorned in the states?

 

[brianmanahan]

I notice Americans speak very low of black people and generally lack respect for the culture, why are african americans so respected in European countries yet scorned in the states?

this sounds vaugely familiar...

 

[destrekor]

Genetics and body proportions.

Blacks, on a genetic average, tend to have longer legs and a short torso, compared to the white genetic average of a longer torso when taken as a legs to torso ratio.

This imparts a few, of a sort, physics-based variables that swing explosive, short-distance sprints toward those with the highest leg:torso ratio. Center of gravity and proportion of where mass is located, as well as stride and explosive muscle contractions.

But it's a hindrance to endurance events. Energy must be conserved so stride length is different, and taking shorter strides when you are better geared towards longer more powerful strides, is not energy efficient. The change in center of gravity may also impact how momentum and energy come into play for endurance events.

And unless you are a freak, even with the best professional training, you really cannot compete against a person with a higher legs:torso ratio if you have a longer torso and comparably shorter legs.

For whites, it is a bit rarer for us to have that ideal sprinters proportions. And even fewer will actually get into competitive sprinting to test and hone their abilities.

I reckon, if you measure most blacks who compete in endurance events, they likely do not have that "ideal" sprinters body.

 

[sunzt]

I notice Americans speak very low of black people and generally lack respect for the culture, why are african americans so respected in European countries yet scorned in the states?

See American's history on slavery and how half the country clung to the lifestyle and economy that had slavery underpinning it.

Were you implying what I said was not respectful? I'm just stating obvious observations.

 

[brianmanahan]

See American's history on slavery and how half the country clung to the lifestyle and economy that had slavery underpinning it.

Were you implying what I said was not respectful? I'm just stating obvious observations.

lol obviously you missed this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2254951

 

[lupi]

the lulz factor has definitely taken an upturn.