[brookst]

I’m reminded of the old “do you want the boat, or what’s behind the door? It could be anything, even a boat!”

I’m not a polo player but in most games if you’ve already hit the 99.99th percentile, it’s not wise to roll the dice hoping to do better.

[Centigonal]

In sports, sometimes you think you've maximized the potential of the human body after decades of competition, and then you get surprised (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men%27s_100_metres_world_recor... )

Perhaps the same is true for horses.

[chrisandchris]

Wasn't there a study whose result was that people are not actually running faster but the better results are mostly attributed to changing/improving grounds and better shoes?

Edit: Can't find the study anymore. This one [1] at least partially attributes to material.

[1] https://www.balticsportscience.com/journal/vol17/iss2/2/

[tstrimple]

Training has also evolved drastically over time at the highest end of athletics. Periodization, nutrition, recovery and the size of the talent pool being scouted are all occurring alongside the advances in materials and equipment. It would be difficult to separate them effectively.

[gobdovan]

In the future, all football will be played by Messi clones and all hockey by Gretzkies.

[brookst]

And honestly I’m there for it. Can you imagine the level of play?

[notahacker]

there certainly won't be much defending going on with the Messi clones :)

[vikingerik]

Well, if there are 100,000 competitors and you want to win, then the 99.99th percentile isn't enough, and yes you would try to reach 99.999.