Jamaicans: Fastest men on earth ?

As we approach the Commonwealth games in a few days time OBV writer Adam Sinclair Charles explores whether or not his kith and kin -Jamaicans- have that God-given talent to run the fastest, jump the longest or highest. His findings ultimately ask more questions than highlight answers but it’s an excellent read.  Simon Woolley.

The idea that all Jamaican’s have an innate sprinting ability is something that pleased me greatly – largely because it meant I must have it too. When Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake & Shelly-Anne Frasier lit up the world stage at the London Olympics, I can’t have been the only one who Google-searched my nearest 100m track. Who could blame me? But after reading Michael Brooks’ most recent article, my inner-Bolt, embarrassingly lying dormant for the past two years, had been rekindled once more.

Guardian journalist, Brooks, published an article posing the question ‘why are Jamaicans so good at sprinting?’ In the article, he details the subtle genetic variations in Jamaicans compared to other nationalities. He notes that the first gene associated with powerful sprinting is the angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE gene. Anyone with this gene is more likely to have a heart capable of pumping highly oxygenated blood to muscles quicker than average. Although it’s already extremely high in West Africans, Jamaicans have an even higher likelihood of carrying the gene. Excellent news.

Brooks also states that 75% of Jamaican’s, whether they’re athletes or not, have a gene that helps muscles generate strong, repetitive contractions called the ACTN3 gene. It sounded complex, but with my body naturally producing all the necessary requirements, I was more than ready to be the next Olympic champion. Watch out Usain.

But despite my initial excitement at the prospect of becoming the next trail-blazing sprinter, I was hit with a worrying realisation.

If I, Adam Charles, could be a sprinter so could any other average Joe with Jamaican heritage. Brooks’ findings would appear to limit the importance of skill or individual talent, and attribute success to a cluster of advantageous physical attributes luckily inherited through generations.

Imagine my horror after coming across Matthew Syed’s book, Bounce, which claims even elite athletes aren’t necessarily talented. Syed argues that the Tiger Woods, LeBron James and even himself have simply completed more hours of purposeful practice than their less skilled counterparts.

So having quickly been brought back to reality it is important to look at the wider debate. Why are Jamaican sprinters so successful? As Brooks and Syed would both argue, it’s due to a number of pre-determined conditions that are beyond control. With practice athletes eventually become great.

But I still believe this shuns the importance of raw talent. Otherwise I could be lining up next to Bolt at the Commonwealth Games in two days time.

Adam Sinclair Charles