Originally Posted by TheSquealer

I own a gym. I understand what you are saying and mostly agree with you. I hear nothing but excuses all day long and do little more than shutting those people down all day long and get them to accept personal responsibility. I understand what you are saying. I'm just saying that genetics play a much larger role on a world class level than you trying to qualify for the county track meet.

Steroids aren't the reason Mr Olympia is Mr Olympia. Steroids are a necessary component to get to that size and be competitive. But of course it takes unreal discipline, hard work, perfect diet and so on. HOWEVER, his size is the result of his genetic potential to get to that size.

I am simply saying that genetics play a large role in athletics on a world class level. Lance Armstrong didn't work any harder than the other 1000s that lost to him. The top 500 Iron Man triathletes aren't winning in by order of "hard work". There are a lot of factors, hard work is a prerequisite, not the sole determining factor as you are suggesting.

It's not any more outlandish to say "being a descendant of a slave gives one a small genetic advantage" anymore than it is to say "Ronnie Coleman was Mr Olympia 8 times ONLY because he used steroids"

It's a great deal more complex than that and when you are competing at a world class level, a .5% advantage for whatever reason (genetics, drugs etc) is huge.