One team of scientists, working with Team GB, has been studying genes and sporting performance, since the late 1990s. Director of the Institute for Human Health and Performance at University College London, Prof Hugh Montgomery, has carried out groundbreaking work on genes and fitness, most notably the "ACE" gene, thought to be linked to endurance. He says genes clearly count, but they are not the whole story, and factors such as diet and training are also important.
Diet, repetitive strain and loading are all known to play a part, and scientists say there is clearly a strong genetic element.
"We have identified one gene that we think strongly influences the risk of stress fracture, which we hopefully will be publishing on this year, but there will be many more to come," says Prof Montgomery.He is working closely with the English Institute of Sport, which aims to apply the latest in sports science and medicine for the benefit of Britain's Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Its director of sport science, Dr Ken van Someren, says he is keen to apply the latest genetics discoveries.
"If we can identify some particular genes that are associated with a higher risk of injury in certain individuals, and we think we're close, we can tailor the training, conditioning and preparation that we put those individuals through."And of course we can better inform the medical treatment they receive, should that injury occur."
But Dr Van Someren adds there is no intention to use genes as a means of selection, not least because he thinks it probably would not work.
He says although genes might tell us about the probability of success, it is not an exact science and "we could be missing out on some future champions."
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