Why not many black American/English gymnasts, skiers or swimmers? Sinewy muscles? Political correctness?

Answer 1

I am a swimmer, and there are a couple theories behind the absence of the black race in swimming events.

One is the cultural theory, which argues that swimming is not a sport that is praised in the black culture, contrary to basketball or track.

Another one says that the lack of swimming pools in places black people live leads them to other sports

And one more says that the black race has more explosive muscles with higher density bones, which makes it hard for them to swim for long periods of time. This one has been proved to be the more accurate one.. and explains why the few black swimmers are normally sprinters. Anothony Ervin was black and won the 50 free Gold medal in Sydney.

Answer 2

I think because of the access to the sport. Thing like a basketball court are easily found in inner city places, and traditionaly in poorer urban areas there are more minorities. If a basketball court is all you have access to sports wise, then thats the only game you'll ever be able to practice. Things like gymnastics and skiing often cost more for coaching and signups etc. Urban areas don't have alot of room around to ski so there goes that sport.
Its not 100% poltical correctness, its access to a sport. The same thing works in reverse. If you're rich, you have access to a sport like riding horses because you could afford the horse, a barn for the horse, and the lessons to ride it as well as some sort of trainer. You don't see many privilaged white kids doing basketball(pro), not that they don't play basketball, but they have access to other sports that fit in with thier lifestyle.

Answer 3

Swimming requires a pool. Skiing requires a well kept mountain. Gymnastics is very costly.

Each of these are rather expensive to compete in regardless of race. If you come from a poor socio-economic background, the doorway to competing in these sports is thin. Many richer high schools have these sports but schools in the innercity barely (if at all) have any athletics programs at all. Swimming, gymnastics, and skiing would be the first on the chopping block if schools need to make cuts.

Answer 4

Most likely ,Not to sound racist, But there are more blacks that are in the poverty range than whites ,all the sports you've described are quite expensive ,with the exception of swimming,Sinewy muscles I don't see that , And the political arena ,Who's to say ,who's correct . The majority didn't vote for Bush I'd say they're political views are correct

Answer 5

It's a difficult question to answer because they're are so many factors. Unfortunately, for many African Americans in the U.S. they are not given the opportunity to embrace such sports as gymnastics, skiing and swimming due to their circumstances and/or environment. All it takes is one person to change everything, though. Look at Tiger Woods...now golf is being taught in inner city schools' PE departments. Kids are embracing him and saying they want to be just like Tiger. It takes time, but the bubble just needs to be popped.

Answer 6

i swam my whole life and got a scholarship to the best swimming schools in the USA for NCAA division 1... and i asked Tampa's U coach that same question..
and even when u stop to think its true..

With all that i will say, i dont mean anything racial..

Black people are much stronger.. physicaly by nature.. black people are stronger then white. Period.. if you like it or not.. black people have more pain endurance, can take things longer, are more explosive.. while white people arent. all those sports are not explosive at all.. and when u look at football, track, bball they are.. by nature, black people arent atracted to cold weather.. yes the first ones to be brought to the Americas as slaves were generations and generations ago, but it is still in the blood.. same reason you see more black people in the hotter areas then white people.. but then you always have an exception.. 50free gold medalist for sydney, australia was black.. ive swam with a great black swimmer.. infact he is one of my best friends till today.. but then most of them are into explosive activities... and i am into swimming.. and explosives period!!

Answer 7

They aren't very exciting to compete in, or watch for us. Those sports don't have very many fans when you look at it in perspective. We tend to gravitate towards show stopping & dramatic sports that involve us in the exitement from beginning to the very end. We don't enjoy waiting for our turn to compete again (the sports you listed can involve a competitor waiting hours for their turn to compete). Although those are very good sports with seasoned athletes, the competition and excitement level isn't where we want it to be.

Answer 8

Lack of places to learn about/participate in these particular sports in many Black neighborhoods.

Answer 9

There are a few gymnast but they can't syay prepubescent(child size) as long, and skiing is too dayum cold.

Answer 10

Black people's muscles are usually tighter so they get tired more easily when they swim.