Um, this is stupid. A Romanian woman kicked some major butt during the marathon. Arguement flawed! That is, unless they are going to claim that she has "black genes"!

Another flaw: until Bolt won the other day, no Jamaican had ever won an Olympic gold medal in the sprints. Also, didn't a Chinese man win a gold medal in the hurdles in Athens? Try again, Slate.

And I guess Caublinasians swing golf clubs better, too, and that's why Tiger Woods is handling you your hindparts on a platter.

*handing you your hindparts*…

see. that's just what I get. SMH

Well… there is some truth to this. But it doesn't mean it applies to everyone. You find different body types amongst the same races. This reminds me of people blaming the obesity on genes, instead of their own personal actions.

Why don't they talk about certain caucasians having an advantage in swimming due to their body type?

As far as I know, I'm pretty white, but just about everything I do with a little pinache I attribute to a "hidden" black gene.

Junk science rooted in racism = waste of space.

Why is it that whenever black athletes achieve major sports goals, it's attributed to genetics, but when white athletes (like Phelps) break records, it's all about training and hard work??

Good point solitare.

Well I have noticed that those of West African decent do generally do better in the sprints but Russian and other Eastern White Europeans do well in the sprints.

Russian white women do very well in the 400meter hurdels, look at world and Olympic championship fianls for the past 20 years.

There is American Jermy Warner for the 400.
Roger blk was also a strong 400 meter runner back in the days of Micheal Johnson.

A Japanesse runner won the gold metal in the sprints in the 60's.

@orchid921 - Jamaica won the 400 hurdle gold in 96, and Jamaica almost always metals in all sprint races.

It's really about ecomomics and access. Attributing genetics to sports performance is just lazy and racist. Once you start accepting that blacks are gentically superior for certain sports, then what about those other theories that say we are intellectually inferior?

Sports like hockey,tennis,and golf are "white dominated" because they have more access and the money required to compete. With track & field, all you need is a track to run, and most inner city/rural schools have that at least.

cosign with comment #9.

When Michael Phelps and the rest of the white people win, it's because of their hard work and grueling training.

When Usain Bolt and the rest of the black people win, it's because of their genes.

Late as usual, but wasn't there a black swimmer on the US team? How do you explain him? Or how about Keeth Smart? He's the best male saber fencer (I can't help it.I've got to plug my sport!) the US has to offer and he's black (his sister Erin is a foilist). He was the primary reason the US won a silver in team saber fencing. What would slate say about him? Or how about the countless other black athletes that play "non-traditional" sports, or other sports the US public ignores?

Belarus won 7 "track and field" medals in Beijing (1 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze).
Japan took the bronze medal in the men's 4×100-meter relay at the Beijing Olympic.

I guess the definition of "Black" will have to be expanded, yet again

Silly buggers.

Russian women the 4×100 by running down the Nigerian team.