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yeah, but I don't think your anecdote matches with the claim that "great athletes" are likely to be younger siblings, especially if you go with the MJ/Serena Wi
by bagacrap 6y ago
yeah, but I don't think your anecdote matches with the claim that "great athletes" are likely to be younger siblings, especially if you go with the MJ/Serena Williams examples as guides for what qualifies as greatness. Those little kids you observed were not the next Messi, they were just a little better than average. I can see how playing with older siblings makes an ok athlete slightly better, but I think this advantage washes out by the time you get to the top level of a sport, and you've reached your genetic ceiling.
As long as we're throwing around anecdata, Vincenzo Nibali and Peter Sagan are both far, far better cyclists than their younger brothers.
- tomjakubowski 6y agoMessi is a good example, too. Lionel's the youngest of three brothers, and growing up played with them, as well as two cousins (one older, one a little younger), who themselves became professional soccer players. And he is clearly the best of the bunch. edit: also, fact check: Juraj is in fact Peter Sagan's older brother. Peter is a youngest child, as should be obvious by his antics ;)
- bagacrap 6y agooops well, what's your excuse now Antonio?