Genetic Advantages in Sports: Exploring Fairness and Excellence

Genetic Advantages in Elite Sports

At the top level of most sports, genetic advantages often make the difference because athletes have maximized their training to within a fraction of a percent of human capacity. This means that while hard work and dedication are essential, certain physical traits can provide a significant edge. One of the most famous examples of this is Michael Phelps, whose genetic makeup contributed to his dominance in swimming.

Michael Phelps had numerous genetic advantages that helped him dominate swimming, including hyper-flexible ankles, an unusual arm-to-torso ratio, and twice the lung capacity of an average human. These traits allowed him to use his ankles like flippers underwater and reduced his need to come up for breaths as frequently. Despite these advantages, Michael Phelps still had to work unbelievably hard to achieve his success in swimming. This raises the question: how do we balance natural genetic gifts with the fairness of competition?

The Debate on Biological Advantage

The idea of "biological advantage" is often used to keep trans women from competing in sports. Critics argue that natural genetic differences exist in every sport, yet we do not have different divisions based on traits like height in basketball or eyesight in snooker and darts. For example, if someone was born with webbed extremities that helped them swim better, it would be considered an acceptable level of "unfair" advantage. However, is it even proven that people with webbed hands and feet swim better than those without?

There is also the discussion of whether the webbed hands and feet scenario is a realistic human medical condition or a fantasy. While it is plausible as a genetic abnormality that someone could be born with webbed hands and feet, usually, people with webbed digits have them scaled back at birth or in their youth. As a result, individuals might not decide on a potential career in competitive swimming until after their webbed digits have been altered.

Fairness in Sports and Natural Genetic Gifts

The original question posed whether a human born with webbed hands and feet would be barred from Olympic swimming events. The idea suggests that while webbed extremities might provide an unfair advantage, they are a natural part of the person's body. This raises the possibility of allowing other swimmers to use gloves and footwear to level the playing field. The fairness of denying someone the opportunity to make the most of their natural advantages is debated.

Genetic advantages, such as those seen in Michael Phelps, are a natural part of what makes top athletes successful. The concept of fairness in sports is complex and includes considerations of natural genetic advantages versus artificial enhancements. For instance, while Phelps' natural lung capacity and flexible ankles gave him an edge, he still had to undergo rigorous training to excel. This highlights that while genetic advantages can provide a head start, dedication and hard work are irreplaceable components of athletic success.

Balancing Natural Gifts and Competitive Equity

Balancing natural gifts and competitive equity is a challenging task. It involves understanding that genetic advantages are inherent in sports and recognizing the hard work and dedication that athletes invest in their training. The debate continues as to how much weight should be given to natural advantages versus the effort put into honing one's skills.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that sports remain a platform where talent, hard work, and dedication can shine, regardless of natural genetic differences. By fostering an inclusive and fair competitive environment, we can celebrate the diversity of human abilities while maintaining the integrity of sports.