Episode
Something in the Water: Where Do Great Athletes Come From? | Good Sport
35:53
Published: Fri Feb 10 2023
Description
"Muck City," Florida. Kinston, North Carolina. The courts of New York City in the 80s and 90s. These places share one unique trait: they found a way to produce a particular kind of great athlete, over and over. Is there something in the water – or is it something else? In our first episode, host Jody Avirgan talks to sports journalist Bomani Jones and Olympic table tennis coach Rajul Sheth about talent "hotbeds," the role opportunity and access play in crafting success, and the important distinction between having talent and achieving greatness.
Chapters
The podcast host observes that the majority of successful wide receivers in football are black, making the few elite white wide receivers stand out even more.
00:00 - 01:51 (01:51)
Summary
The podcast host observes that the majority of successful wide receivers in football are black, making the few elite white wide receivers stand out even more.
EpisodeSomething in the Water: Where Do Great Athletes Come From? | Good Sport
PodcastTED Talks Daily
The podcast discusses the stereotypes surrounding race in football, with common assumptions being that black players are seen as more athletic and white players are seen as the brains behind the operation.
01:51 - 08:41 (06:50)
Summary
The podcast discusses the stereotypes surrounding race in football, with common assumptions being that black players are seen as more athletic and white players are seen as the brains behind the operation.
EpisodeSomething in the Water: Where Do Great Athletes Come From? | Good Sport
PodcastTED Talks Daily
The statistics show that when it comes to black people attending medical school and pursuing PhDs, HBCU graduates are disproportionately represented in these fields.
08:41 - 13:22 (04:40)
Summary
The statistics show that when it comes to black people attending medical school and pursuing PhDs, HBCU graduates are disproportionately represented in these fields. Additionally, there are certain pockets within the US (like Belle Glade, Florida) that consistently produce great athletes, making one wonder if there is something special in the water.
EpisodeSomething in the Water: Where Do Great Athletes Come From? | Good Sport
PodcastTED Talks Daily
Professional table tennis Olympians and national team members training in a massive gymnasium are inspiring young players to dream big, as they see the possibility of achieving greatness in sports from their own town.
13:22 - 17:34 (04:11)
Summary
Professional table tennis Olympians and national team members training in a massive gymnasium are inspiring young players to dream big, as they see the possibility of achieving greatness in sports from their own town.
EpisodeSomething in the Water: Where Do Great Athletes Come From? | Good Sport
PodcastTED Talks Daily
Rajul Sheth, a former Indian table tennis player, talks about leaving his sport and starting a new life in California, leading to a career in coaching.
17:34 - 23:03 (05:28)
Summary
Rajul Sheth, a former Indian table tennis player, talks about leaving his sport and starting a new life in California, leading to a career in coaching. He also mentions the perks of playing a less mainstream sport, such as getting a government job at a young age.
EpisodeSomething in the Water: Where Do Great Athletes Come From? | Good Sport
PodcastTED Talks Daily
The ability of children to learn and adopt a new skill varies from person to person.
23:03 - 31:27 (08:24)
Summary
The ability of children to learn and adopt a new skill varies from person to person. Increasing the volume of players by introducing kids to table tennis is essential for the growth of the sport.
EpisodeSomething in the Water: Where Do Great Athletes Come From? | Good Sport
PodcastTED Talks Daily
This podcast series explores how the world of sports can provide a lens through which we can see the larger world more clearly.
31:27 - 34:57 (03:29)
Summary
This podcast series explores how the world of sports can provide a lens through which we can see the larger world more clearly. Each episode will delve into a different phenomenon in the world of sports and the corresponding application to everyday life.