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#Post#: 30--------------------------------------------------
Why certain countries are good in certain sports
DIR By: berry
Date: September 12, 2012, 1:15 pm
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This question has been on my mind, why do some countries tend to
do better in some sports than others? Has this got to do with
the type of training they receive or partly due to the country
that they come from?
I.E. Jamaica is known for their sprinters
China for table tennis and badminton
U.S for swimming and gymnastics
#Post#: 35--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why certain countries are good in certain sports
DIR By: winni83
Date: September 12, 2012, 10:56 pm
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China and US have an enormous pool of athletes to choose from,
so it's meaningless to say anything about that.
Jamaicans, and people from African origin in general, have more
hemoglobin in their blood, which enables them to transport more
oxygen to their muscles. Furthermore, especially common in
Nigerians, they have 'fast-twitch' muscle cells, especially
suitable for sprint.
#Post#: 61--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why certain countries are good in certain sports
DIR By: LimHui
Date: September 30, 2012, 9:01 am
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african countries are good for long dist/marathon for reasons
that we always make fun of, partially. (they have to walk long
distances everyday for necessities) In addition, they tend to
have physiques/ bone structure (?) that are particularly suited
for endurance? I rmb some african guy running barefooted for an
IAAF league race. They must have good feet :x I don't know a
better way to put it. Any idea?
#Post#: 66--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why certain countries are good in certain sports
DIR By: raymond
Date: September 30, 2012, 9:37 am
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I think that apart from the environment (physical and cultural)
another reason why some countries excel in some sports is
because of its focus.
As smaller countries have limited resources they would have to
choose and staked it in sports/events that they think they can
excel in them. Whereas for USA and China, where both have vast
resources to work on, they would participate in every other
event as their focus would be the pursuit of competitive
excellence, measured by medals at the Olympics.
Another point to note why the focus of the country make a
difference: Look at India which has a large population too.
Despite having the vast talent pool, the lack of resources
forced the country to concentrate on a few sports only.
#Post#: 75--------------------------------------------------
Re: Why certain countries are good in certain sports
DIR By: jasper
Date: October 22, 2012, 10:25 pm
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It does seem to unanimously point to certain countries when we
talk about certain sports segments. Look at Jamaica. To date, it
has won 14 Olympic gold medals despite having just a population
of 3 million people. Most of these medals are in sprinting.
Think Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Usain
Bolt.
Environment?
Usain Bolt's father himself (Wellsley i think) says Usain's
ability is largely due to his upbringing in the hills of
Trelawny.
Biology?
Theorists have said also that a lot Jamaicans have high levels
of serotonin in their bodies, making them very determined and
aggressive. AND this is replicated across the board since
Jamaican gene pool is relatively homogenous. So imagine many
many many potential Usain Bolts, Asafa Powells and Shelly-Ann
Frasers.
HOW TO NOT WIN?
Sociology?
Personally I feel that there is also a sociological influence in
this. Like with Jamaica's history and famed characters such as
Usain Bolt, it shows people growing up in Jamaica that they too
can work hard towards such goals and achieve world fame and be
hailed as one of the most talked-about athlete of the world. It
is also a way out of the poverty cycle and mundane life i
suppose. Imagine like in Singapore our ambition is to be become
doctors and lawyers, i think Jamaican children aspire to be
world-class athletes. This kind of socialisation since youth can
be a huge spurring motivation no?
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