Is talent irrelevant for great success?

Mollie: As I said in my PM, you are totally cooking my goose in a 200 back. In my experience, backstrokers are usually tall and lean like you. But wasn't there that little Kristina Egerzeski that held the backstroke world records for awhile?

I would only add that hard work should also be smart work. Even if you have that more than a smidge of natural talent, hard work with poor application of technique, or overwork with no recognition of physiological realities can ruin a 'talented' swimmer, just as surely as one with lesser talents can surpass them by training hard and smart.

Leslie: answer hazy, ask again later.

Mollie: As I said in my PM, you are totally cooking my goose in a 200 back. In my experience, backstrokers are usually tall and lean like you. But wasn't there that little Kristina Egerzeski that held the backstroke world records for awhile? is she little? i can't remember what she looks like. and i think she may still hold the 200 record...

My recollection is that Kristina was 5'4" and under 100 pounds. She was also really good at the 400 IM. I'm sure Frank would know this with more precision. And Natalie Coughlin isn't too tall. I think she's only 5'8." But she has that unbelievable underwater work. All's I know is that I am always the shortest backstroker at swim meets. (I should say that my coach is a really good backstroker and she's only 5'5" or 5'6".) And I'm giving you 10 seconds or more on me in that 200 back ... The best local backstroker in my age group, the WR holder in SCM, is Lisa Van Pelt Diller. She's super tall too with great turns. And my secret nemesis is pretty darn tall too, as you know.

There are so many aspects to talent. I think it takes talent to be able train hard and consistently. Your body has to be able to tolerate the stress without breaking down AND you have to mentally be able to handle all the preparation and find accomplishment rather than boredom. Good genes -- you also need to pick the right parents that will also be supportive and not drive you out of the sport during your developmental years. I think talent includes differences at the cellular level how energy is produced and consumed. Better mitochrondria. More ability to adapt to training and do a better workload at any given training level. Better developed nervous system that allows better coordination, more symmetry, and better recruitment of the muscle fibers.

Good genes -- you also need to pick the right parents. I think talent includes differences at the cellular level how energy is produced and consumed. Better mitochrondria. More ability to adapt to training and do a better workload at any given training level. Better developed nervous system that allows better coordination, more symmetry, and better recruitment of the muscle fibers. You remind me of this fellow and his experiments (not you) Dr. Josef Mengele, nicknamed The Angel Of Death, and the other Nazi doctors at the death camps tortured men, women and children and did medical experiments ...

Ah, Yes, mental grit gets you to the finish wall first. Whomever wants it badly enough. And, still a cool thread, love it. Donna

I am referring to the fact that some tried to select what they considered the cream of the crop. The superior being. I think we all know this is not natural. Sorry if I offended you but grow up.

I'm a backstroker and I'm only 5'5 and a half. :D This link, www.usaswimming.org/.../DesktopDefault.aspx - is pretty interesting. It goes into details describing height to weight relation in swimming, also examining the average age, size, and weight of swimmers. Give it a looksee.