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Published online 4 August 2004 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news040802-13
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Top of the world
This summer will see the world's supreme athletes doing what they do best. But what does it take to reach the top, asks news@nature.com, and will we ever witness the perfect performance?
What do you need in order to be a record breaker?
Sports experts agree that the single most important factor in creating a champion is genetic makeup: the possession of genes that impart an innate ability to stride, leap, burn energy efficiently or suck lots of oxygen from the air. "The great athletes are genuine statistical outliers.
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