www.slate.com/.../
In a nutshell
"Anthropometric measurements of large populations show that systematic differences exist among blacks, whites and Asians. The published evidence is massive: blacks have longer limbs than whites, and because blacks have longer legs and smaller circumferences (e.g. calves and arms), their center of mass is higher than that in other individuals of the same height. Asians and whites have longer torsos, therefore their centers of mass are lower.
These structural differences, they argue, generate differences in performance. Using equations about the physics of locomotion, they analyze racing as a process of falling forward. Based on this analysis, they conclude that having a higher center of body mass in a standing position is advantageous in running but disadvantageous in swimming."
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For the record I don't think you're a racist, taruky, and I realize this is largely a question of semantics. I like to think that no one on this site is racist. People here are way too open minded to be racists.
Like you said, it's more of a semantic thing.
That said, the topic of this study implies some sort of discrimination, based on skin color, in both swimming and running. It would be much more productive and less controversial to approach it from a cultural social perspective. Because I am absolutely convinced, for so many reasons, that physical attributes or differences can not, in themselves, explain anything.
Would have been little more accurate to talk about Blacks born in this or that country vs white born in this or that country. Because there are far more difference physically speaking between a Black Tuty Rwandaise and a short Masai Kenyan runner (both black) than between a short Masai Kenyan runner and a short Japanese runner. There are not that many differences between slim cuban runner and a slim deutch runner etc etc....
Attempting to discriminate, no matter the reason, between 'black' and 'white' regardless of ethnic background or origin, without narrowing the differences down to cultural and social is severely missing the point in my humble opinion.
As far as swimming is concerned, as a rule of thumb, you need to be tall and slim to perform well on the world scene in Pool events (not a place for a Masai Kenyan, but would fit our 6'5 avg Tutsi if they were fortunate enough to have a pool in their country). Open water, world class, pretty much anything works, as long as you can remain in 60deg water for 10 consecutive hours without falling in hypothermia.
For the record I don't think you're a racist, taruky, and I realize this is largely a question of semantics. I like to think that no one on this site is racist. People here are way too open minded to be racists.
Like you said, it's more of a semantic thing.
That said, the topic of this study implies some sort of discrimination, based on skin color, in both swimming and running. It would be much more productive and less controversial to approach it from a cultural social perspective. Because I am absolutely convinced, for so many reasons, that physical attributes or differences can not, in themselves, explain anything.
Would have been little more accurate to talk about Blacks born in this or that country vs white born in this or that country. Because there are far more difference physically speaking between a Black Tuty Rwandaise and a short Masai Kenyan runner (both black) than between a short Masai Kenyan runner and a short Japanese runner. There are not that many differences between slim cuban runner and a slim deutch runner etc etc....
Attempting to discriminate, no matter the reason, between 'black' and 'white' regardless of ethnic background or origin, without narrowing the differences down to cultural and social is severely missing the point in my humble opinion.
As far as swimming is concerned, as a rule of thumb, you need to be tall and slim to perform well on the world scene in Pool events (not a place for a Masai Kenyan, but would fit our 6'5 avg Tutsi if they were fortunate enough to have a pool in their country). Open water, world class, pretty much anything works, as long as you can remain in 60deg water for 10 consecutive hours without falling in hypothermia.
