Genetic freak. It's a term that gets thrown around a lot in power sports such as bobsled, track and field, and football. It's a term that supposed to be a compliment, that so and so is a genetic freak, so and so is so athletically gifted, but what does it really mean? A simple google search of "genetic freak" turns up many links to body building sites, the first a forum from steroidology.com (http://www.steroidology.com/forum/anabolic-steroid-forum/627368-how-do-you-know-if-man-genetic-freak.html). The second site is the only source to turn to when vague new phrases are created, the urban dictionary:
So what really is a genetic freak? How does anyone actually know if someone is a genetic freak versus someone who has just put in the time and effort to work hard and achieve a certain level of athleticism and fitness? The short answer is, you don't. In the past two seasons, two rookies have come in and won the women's bobsled push championships, does that mean they're both genetic freaks? Another man on our team can power clean over 170kg, does that mean he's a genetic freak? Most of our guys can squat over 200kg, does that mean they're all genetic freaks? If at the end of the day all of my teammates (men's and women's bobsled teams) have extraordinary athletic talents in various areas, does that make all of us genetic freaks? Some may say yes, but most will say no, so what then defines who are among the genetic freaks and who aren't?
Then the other question is, what makes someone a genetic freak anyway? If someone comes from two parents who were athletic, is it freakish to think that their son or daughter will be athletic as well? Can that person be a genetic freak then if they are exactly like their parents? For example, my father was a running back- and I'm built exactly like him but in female form. Does that exclude me from being a genetic freak because I'm built exactly like my genes say I would be built? There's not anything freakish about being built like my father, it's in my blood...
Even if we eventually do determine who our genetic freaks are, what does that mean? Does that mean that everyone competing against genetic freaks should just give up? Does that mean that genetic freaks should just stop training and let their genetics do all the work? As coaches, do you just stop training a genetic freak and let them rely on these genetics? Does that mean a genetic freak will win every time? No, it certainly doesn't- it practically doesn't change anything!
The only thing calling someone a genetic freak does is give other athletes an excuse when they are defeated by one of these athletes...and excuses are pretty worthless in my book...
| 1. | Genetic freak | 11 thumbs up | |
One who is a freak of nature. Mostly used to describe one's superior physical abilities but can also be used for superior mental abilities.
Lebron James could dunk when he was 14, he's just a genetic freak.
That guy Marco is a genetic freak, he barely works out and eats fast food all the time, but he has a six pack. | |||
So what really is a genetic freak? How does anyone actually know if someone is a genetic freak versus someone who has just put in the time and effort to work hard and achieve a certain level of athleticism and fitness? The short answer is, you don't. In the past two seasons, two rookies have come in and won the women's bobsled push championships, does that mean they're both genetic freaks? Another man on our team can power clean over 170kg, does that mean he's a genetic freak? Most of our guys can squat over 200kg, does that mean they're all genetic freaks? If at the end of the day all of my teammates (men's and women's bobsled teams) have extraordinary athletic talents in various areas, does that make all of us genetic freaks? Some may say yes, but most will say no, so what then defines who are among the genetic freaks and who aren't?
Then the other question is, what makes someone a genetic freak anyway? If someone comes from two parents who were athletic, is it freakish to think that their son or daughter will be athletic as well? Can that person be a genetic freak then if they are exactly like their parents? For example, my father was a running back- and I'm built exactly like him but in female form. Does that exclude me from being a genetic freak because I'm built exactly like my genes say I would be built? There's not anything freakish about being built like my father, it's in my blood...
So I guess the truly only way to know if someone is a genetic freak is to examine the genomes of athletes. Is there a particular gene that certain athletes have that make them superior to other athletes? Is this gene missing from their parents genome or did a new gene mutate in the athlete's genome to make them superior? I'm not a geneticist, so I won't attempt to answer that question, but there's some very good research out there that examines genetics and athletics (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=genes-sports-talent).
Even if we eventually do determine who our genetic freaks are, what does that mean? Does that mean that everyone competing against genetic freaks should just give up? Does that mean that genetic freaks should just stop training and let their genetics do all the work? As coaches, do you just stop training a genetic freak and let them rely on these genetics? Does that mean a genetic freak will win every time? No, it certainly doesn't- it practically doesn't change anything!
The only thing calling someone a genetic freak does is give other athletes an excuse when they are defeated by one of these athletes...and excuses are pretty worthless in my book...
