Athletes considered to be the best in the world

I often wonder if the atheletes that are considered to be the best in the world really are the best in the whole world.
 
For example is Usain Bolt really the fastest sprinter in the world, or is there some one that is even faster than Usain but has just never ventured in to sprinting?
 
Is Brian Shaw (current), Zavickas (previous) really the strongest men in the world or are there stronger people out there that have just never entered strong man?
 
Is Lionel Messi really the best footballer in the world or is their a kid somewhere that would make Messi look mediocre but has never been spotted?
 
You get the idea.... Or is it just me that thinks stupid things lol

I would have to say I sure there are people out there that could be better than the likes of usain bolt, if they did the training etc!!

There are people out there that are gifted at some sports but perhaps just aren't interested!!

For example my dad used to run alot and was pretty good, half marathon in just over an hour! Yet he convinced his mate to join him on a race his mate didn't bother training and absolutely blitzed my dad.

I don't think there is anyone out there not already involved in the sport who is better than the best professional but there's definitely people with the potential to be better than the best. In fact I'd wager there's professional sportspeople that, had they chosen a different sport, would be even more succesful at that.
 
Genetics is one thing but technique, training, dedication and motivation are massive factors in become 'the best', so a genetically gifted person may never become the best because they don't tick all the boxes necessary to achieve it.

American football has some big strong guys in it
 
Say you're a big strong lad growing up in the US. Not really the best prospects or the best academically. But you are very big and strong. You have the option to be put through college and earn mega dollars if you play American football. Or you could try your hand at strongman in your time off from your sh't job. You'd have to be pretty passionate about strongman to take that route I think
 
So in cases like that, who knows if there aren't a few super strong guys out there? Or guys who could be super strong if they really trained for it? When there's a competing sport that could attract a similar sort of person it confuses things
 
This is different from things like sprinting though, because every kid sprints. It's a universal sport I guess you could say
 

Emile Heskey is the greatest footballer to ever grace the game

 
As Drab has touched upon it's very much sports specific. I believe Usain Bolt is as close to being the fastest man to ever live as we will find. Every culture values foot speed in some sporting capacity. No equipment is required and anyone with prodigious genetic ability at sprinting stands a very good chance of being discovered. 
 
Footballers? Meh ! could be thousands of Messi's out there for me. 

No I'd say in most cases they are the best. Top level athletes show great potential for certain sports and build on that to be the best. If someone was exceptional at a sport when they were young,they would have been scouted or told to pursue it, that's how these guys get to the top. They're not cleaning windows somewhere

in the main sports like football and 100 metres sprints.
 
If your that good you will get noticed at school etc and have the people will comment why not go to club x to get better.
 
For sports not played at school or at least on smaller scales. like squash etc your never start playing it to know.

I imagine potentially but not better.
 
On a side note - there are women around who are better looking than 'the sexiest women in the world' lists etc...is that a talented athlete? ;-)

I keep telling my mate Dave to try for worlds Strongest Man but he says he doesn't need to prove himself.

I have always thought that with a little motivation and support there could be many other 'greats' out there, who will simply never even get a chance. 
 
I often wonder if I had been born in the states whether I would have been picked up for Baseball because my eye/ball coordination is excellent and I could place the ball wherever I wanted.  When I played over there for a bit of fun (through my work) they tried to get me to play in the local leagues.
 
Formula 1 is another case in point, I bet there are a lot better drivers out there but because of the costs involved, they will never make it - I think its all about being in the right place at the right time. 

What about those African hunters who actually chase down there prey-chasing a Gazelle until it literal falls over from exhaustion-imagine them in a Marathon!-it would be just like running to the shops.

One thing that I find annoying is when people will say "Oh I was a champion runner at school, could have made it big but I lost my coach/went to university/had a family."
 
Errr isn't this the difference between being naturally talented, and being an athlete?It's the training and dedication that makes the difference, taking or making opportunities and putting the hard work in.
 
The post about the guy who ran the half-marathon, I would guess he either had a background but never let on or if he didn't, then the guy who did train most likely would have recovered a lot quicker and be able to run again within a short period of time.
 
I used to get beat in fun runs all the time by people who didn't train, but they were shattered afterwards whilst I did my warm-down jog and went on to train again the following day no problems. Regular training is better than short bursts where you might risk damaging yourself!

EDBANGER


I keep telling my mate Dave to try for worlds Strongest Man but he says he doesn't need to prove himself.

 
He's MY mate dammit !!!

PS @OP, it's something I have also pondered, not least when considering which sport I might have been a world beater at LOL