Difference between blacks and whites in the olympics?

Question

why is it that only white people swim and blacks run in the olympics, yet we discourage steriotyping races in america. the evidence is right in front of our faces how different whites and blacks are. we were not created equal, just allowed equal rights by more intelligent parts of humanity. what do you think?

Answer 1

The only factor between blacks and whites that makes a difference is environment. Black people tend to grow up in Ghettos which are often more demanding on the human body than whites who can get healthier and better food easier but white people are often so spoiled the only sports they can compete in are richman's sports like polo, swimming, tennis.

Only physical diffrence is that black males tend to be taller.

Answer 2

LOL, lets just say you stick to what you know best. How many pools or rec centers with pools have you seen in the hood?  How many predominately black schools have swimming pools? Not many and if there are how many swim coaches? So black folks tend to use watever resources are available.

ps whites and other races run too

Answer 3

Of course, there's some genetic predisposition.  More importantly, there's regional preference.  Certain body types are going to have a better result in differing sports, however, it's just more notable that certain sports are going to be gravitated to in different regions.  Running is a national obsession in Jamaica, Kenya, etc.  It's not like that here.

And you need to remember that there are more sports in these olympics than running and swimming.

Of course, there was a Jamaican bobsled team :-)

The question of equal rights is not relevant to this topic.  We're discussing athletics.

Answer 4

No discrimination in the Olympics however Whites swim & Blacks run is a familiar happening due to one's qualifying the event and not due to blood or color...Cheers

Answer 5

I mean... it's obvious that black people and white people aren't the same.

I don't think they're less equal. I mean.. no race is better than another.

I also think it's a little incorrect to say that only white people swim and only black people run. You'd have to look at the entire history of the olympics, and there will be exceptions. In those exceptions, I doubt there are any 100% links. Soooo I think it's a hasty conclusion you've come to.  

Answer 6

You are putting the right people to do the best & right job.  They are doing their best whether White or Black in their own field of confidence and they must be treated EQUAL when talking of Human Rights.  Instead of Black & White why not change to Gold, Silver  & brown ?

Answer 7

In countries like the US and many northern European countries, there is a lot of rough water easily available. This makes the water at the Olympics events look like a sheet of glass, much easier environment than they are used to. Because most of the people in these two regions of the world are naturally European, they are the ones who represent the sport. It's a very logical conclusion and it has nothing to do with race. They just happen to be the people living there, so that's what they do for recreation. If you took these same Europeans and put them in the African environments and vice versa with the Africans, I am sure the results would be flipped around as well.

And whoever said water sports are "rich" sports is a FOOL. That stuff is unbelievably difficult and very physically demanding, not to mention dangerous. I would like to see you do it, kid.  

Answer 8

Whether Black or White, everyone has a talent and I believe it's unfair to say "only white people swim" etc etc....you're generalising and while it MAY seem that most of one race excel at one sport, it comes down the individual and how hard they train, push themselves and how much talent they are able to harness before and after the event.

So, because I'm white I'd be a great swimmer?  

*Shakes head*

The Olympics are supposed to be a time when people of all backgrounds, means and races come together equally to celebrate and share in their love for community spirit, fairness, hard work and appreciation of sport.....but seems to be anything but this year

Answer 9

I have heard before that blacks have a longer Achilles tendon which helps them run faster. Assuming this is correct, it would make sense that sprints and related sports would be dominated by blacks.

I believe socio-economic status is another part of the reason. Mainly that running doesn't require access to special equipment. I think this is also part of the reason why football and basketball are dominated by black athletes while golf, tennis, and other sports are not.  

Answer 10

It's got nothing to do with stereotypes - it's who qualifies for the races to begin with.

It just happens that 'white' people are better at swimming - the Canadians, the Germans etc - and 'black' people are better at running - the Zimbabweans, the Jamaicans etc... but if you look closer, you'll see that there are a mix of each in both sections and throughout the entire Olympics...

Answer 11

wtff i just discussed this with somebody. and i came to a conclusion:

white ppl dont like to run and black ppl dont like to swim.

Answer 12

i dontk now.

Answer 13

there's no difference

Answer 14

how about the other colour YELLOW. Liu Xiang is awesome in the 110m hurdles. the only 'non-african american' to do it under 13 seconds. guess there's an exceotio n o ever rule, since asians generally do poorly in athletics

Answer 15

You can't be serious...

This question is just asking for trouble. I can't wait to see the answers.

Answer 16

i think there people!!!

Answer 17

There is no difference.  And therein lies the beauty of the Olympics.

Answer 18

There was an African American on the team when Michael Phelps won one of his gold medals.  Perhaps there are not that many African Americans on the team because there aren't that many pools available to them as there are available to whites.

Answer 19

We're not created equal.  It's just a fact of life.

We're just urged to treat each other as equals, although that doesn't usually happen anyways.

Answer 20

I don't know why don't native americans  participate in the olympics?

Answer 21

There might be some genetic makeup that help black to run faster  and then we have to get into the area of natural selection.  The high school that I went to which was basically  mix about 60% white and 40% black the fastest person in our school was a white person, but I feel the reason certain ethnic groups excel in certain area is because of the resource available.  I truly believe if you put 100 blacks and 100 whites in  pre-olympic  swimming program and start them at the same age and gave  then the same amount of training with the same coaches then I believe you would see more blacks in swimming.

Answer 22

You answered your own question. One swims, the other runs.

We'll never stop racially/ethnically stereotyping, it's been done for eons.

Answer 23

Social deprivation clearly prevents certain groups in western societies from having every opportunity to excel.......BUT......there are also massive genetic differences between people......and these don't necessarily have to do with colour.  Have you noticed how almost all sprinters have West African heritage but those of East African ancestry often dominate distance running.

Don't tell me that all these differences are to do with coaching opportunities!  People of different genetics and races are different, we are good at different things.  Isn't it wonderful!!!!!!!

Answer 24

Both races swam and ran in the Olympics.

Answer 25

white people run, blacks just got the sprints

Answer 26

Im a poor white gal(NOT WHITE TRASH!) i  find myself and my college grad hubby so not working (in SW Mich) no matter...we dont have a chance any where no matter what!   OLYMICS IS ABOUT BEING THE BEST YOU CAN BE!!!   not color!  not country!