Around the Institute

“The Sports Gene,” A Conversation with Author David Epstein and Olympic Medalist Dara Torres

September 10, 2013

Presented by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play.

For parents and kids, just about every signal from the culture conveys the idea that a high dose of one sport at a young age is the pathway to athletic stardom. But what do we really know about early specialization and the “10,000 hours rule?” What’s the role of nature vs. nurture? And what’s the best way to develop the potential of all children?

Tom Farrey, director of the Aspen Institute Sports & Society program, moderates a discussion with David Epstein, Sports Illustrated columnist and author of the New York Times bestseller, “The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance” and Dara Torres, 12-time Olympic medalist in swimming.