Quote Originally Posted by Rydiro View Post
The top of a field usually behaves differently from the average, statistically speaking. Minor average advantages usually lead to overrepresentation at the top level. This has to do with statistics and distributions.

For example, 1/3rd of women and 2/3 of men are above 170cm in height. A ratio of 1 woman to 2 men.
When you look at height above 185cm, its 1% women versus 30% men. That is a ratio of 1 woman to 30 men.

So the more you go to the extremes, the more pronounced the statistical effects of average advantages become. Usually.
Pretty much. Top athletes are by their nature unusual. You have to assume that everybody at that level is ridiculously skilled, and are roughly even on that front. So their edges are going to come from minor physical anomalies. Michael Phelps is a good swimmer because he has technique; he's a GREAT swimmer because he has a freakish mutant physique that gives him muscle distribution perfectly suited for swimming and webbed fingers.