Introduction
Identification of talent in athletes is challenging, but important, because it can lead to the potential for understanding the lifelong development of athletes who compete for prolonged periods of time. In analyzing these conditions it is evident that there is a benefit to understanding the underlying principles associated with lifelong development. This demonstrates the fact that “it takes eight to twelve years of training for a talented athlete to reach elite level” (Balyi 2001, p. 1). Understanding the physical and mental conditions under which athletic talent can thrive is essential in developing a commitment to these priorities and their ...