Final answer:
The idea that sprinters are born, not made, is false. Success in sprinting is influenced by a combination of genetics, training, cultural factors, and personal motivation, not just innate ability. Jamaica's sprinting success, for example, is partially attributed to cultural factors and national passion for track and field.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'For the most part, sprinters are born, not made' is False. While genetics play a role in a person's potential for sprinting, they are not the sole determinant of success in sprinting events. Factors like training, motivation, and cultural influences also significantly impact an athlete's performance.
In Jamaica, the cultural obsession with sprinting, combined with national pride in their sprinters, has contributed to their dominance in track and field events. This is well illustrated by the Jamaican 4x100 meter relay team's victory in world championships. Athletes in Jamaica are also motivated by the legacy of early stars like Arthur Wint. In contrast, in the United States, other sports such as football may draw potential sprinters away due to better monetary rewards.
It is also crucial to acknowledge that attributes such as the proportion of slow-twitch to fast-twitch muscle fibers vary among individuals, which can influence their performance in sprinting. However, natural selection cannot be directly applied to the abilities of individual track athletes, as the success in sprinting does not directly lead to greater survival or more offspring.