Can we identify elite athletes through personality tests?

Becoming an elite athlete takes a special person. Not only must they be in pique physical condition, but they must have the corresponding dedication to put in hours upon hours of disciplined practice. It seems as if there is something psychologically different about these dedicated athletes.

Sports psychologists already have a variety of personality assessments to identify mental blocks or concentration difficulties that may be stopping an athlete from performing to their true potential. It is clear that we can use psychological assessments to help address the problems in focusing that athletes may experience. But can we pick out who “has what it takes” to become an elite athlete at a young age?

Perhaps it is evident in childhood who the future Olympians will be. Scouts already know how to identify those future athletes with great promise. Maybe we can tell who has the psychological disposition to get to the top as well. Perhaps those who fit a certain personality profile are more likely to succeed?

However, it is questionable whether identifying athletes by their psychological prowess and focus would really be useful. Perhaps it is the case that those who have the the personality profile that makes them more likely to apply themselves and persist through tasks like deliberate practice in sports are just as likely to apply this tenacity to another field — say music or chess.

It is unclear whether profiling children is really worth it, as we can always teach athletes better focus later on. On the other hand, it may be true that some young people are not showing their full potential because of their lack of confidence or discouragement they may encounter while practicing. Perhaps it would be worth it to teach all children, regardless of their interest in sports, music, chess or whatever, techniques to help them concentrate and focus on the practice that will aide them in improving their skills.