new breed of athletes

[SB39 2]

In the past decade, there have surfaced a number of athletes levels above existing competition. Fedor Emelianko in MMA fighting is undefeated since December 2000 and has ravaged the heavyweight ranks, Lebron is ruining the NBA and arguably the best player in the world at 19, Roger Federer has 6 Grand Slams at age 24 and won the last 3 Wimbledons and 2 US Opens, Ron Coleman won the last 7 Mr. Olympia's, and Lance Armstrong came back from cancer to destroy cycling, and who knows how good Crosby and Ovechkin will be. These guys make some of the greatest athletes in history look foolish. I'm wondering if we are approaching the limits of human athleticism, and if these guys secret talents are more mental or physical...

Any thoughts...?

[thejackal 46]

Federer's a tennis god...

[Jason Harris 31]

I don't think the advantage would be mental. Given all the upsets that have occured the past century in sports, it's obvious that some people have had stronger wills to win than their presumed superior opponents. I'd classify "stronger willed" as mental.

However, there is no doubt athletes are far bigger today than even fifteen years ago. It's interesting stumbling across ESPN Classic because the players look like they are 15-25 pounds less. Mostly from genetics and hard work, somewhat from supplements, and some from chemicals. But definitely larger.

[KingPest19 0]

In the past decade, there have surfaced a number of athletes levels above existing competition. Fedor Emelianko in MMA fighting is undefeated since December 2000 and has ravaged the heavyweight ranks, Lebron is ruining the NBA and arguably the best player in the world at 19, Roger Federer has 6 Grand Slams at age 24 and won the last 3 Wimbledons and 2 US Opens, Ron Coleman won the last 7 Mr. Olympia's, and Lance Armstrong came back from cancer to destroy cycling, and who knows how good Crosby and Ovechkin will be. These guys make some of the greatest athletes in history look foolish. I'm wondering if we are approaching the limits of human athleticism, and if these guys secret talents are more mental or physical...

Any thoughts...?

With regards to lance armstrong hes a 1 in a million athlete. One of the reasons hes able to destroy the competition is his training regimen which noone else comes close to. Another thing is his bodys ability to recover. I read that his levels are off the charts when it comes to that type of stuff and that was before the cancer when he was 30lbs heavier. I think that part of the reason that were seeing all these young guys come into the pro ranks and dominate is the way they are trained at such a young age when they are noticd for their abilities.

[Edge 0]

Federer's a tennis god...athletes will always get better, no matter what. There will always be one that has more natural talent or a better work ethic than the previous ones.

very true.

athletes will always get better, no matter what. There will always be one that has more natural talent or a better work ethic than the previous ones. Sport's styles are always evolving and changing.

[jjtt99 0]

Have you ever heard of this kid? At the age of three he started working out with dumbells. I saw a documentary on TV about him. His father, who's now out of his life, use to put him on a very strict diet consisting of lots of vitamins. Although they couldn't prove it, the documentary hinted that steroids could have been involved. Scary.

http://www.richardsandrak.com/index.html

[mack 44]

I've seen that creature on Conan and other shows. I'm sorry, but I'd rather have a normal kid than...that.

[Chadd 916]

People are far more likely to give up everything else in their life to pursue athletics now than in the past. Kids are also increasingly focused on a single sport from the time they are able to walk. If you don't burn out, train like hell, eat right and have some natural ability you are far more likely to reach your potential than in the past.