The gene we inherit from mum and dad that could make us Olympians

UK scientists have discovered an inherited gene that sports stars share - that helps them to become elite athletes. The gene controls the formation of new blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to working muscles and is crucial for both physical performance and metabolic health.

Now British sports scientists have published further evidence of how inherited genes determine the success of elite athletes. In a large-scale study in Cell Reports, geneticist Dr Ildus Akhmetov at Liverpool John Moores University's School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and others have identified a genetic variant of the gene RAB3GAP2 as an enabler of elite-level endurance performance.

Dr Ildus Akhmetov contributed to athlete recruitment and molecular and physiological analyses and explained: "It took at least five years to complete this study, from collecting muscle biopsies to genetic and functional analyses.

"Inhibiting RAB3GAP2 could promote blood vessel growth and may help treat ischaemic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.

"Conversely, increasing RAB3GAP2 activity in tumours might suppress abnormal blood vessel formation and limit cancer growth."

UK Sport experts already use physical and skill-based tests to identify potential future Olympians when they are young - often before they have even selected a sport to become proficient in.

These talent identification processes, such as "Discover Your Gold", then transition them into high-performance pathways - from club-level, county/regional academies, to national representation.

England Athletics utilizes four main talent hubs (Leeds Beckett, Loughborough, Birmingham, St Mary's) for then specialized training, sports science, medicine, and coaching.

Using genome-wide association analysis in more than 600 individuals, the university researchers identified the rs115660502 G allele of RAB3GAP2 as the strongest genetic determinant of the muscle capillary-to-fibre ratio.

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This variant was significantly more common in elite endurance athletes, such as cross-country skiers and triathletes, than in power athletes and non-athletes, they found.

Further analyses showed that the rare variant was associated with reduced expression of the RAB3GAP2 gene, and that endurance athletes had lower RAB3GAP2 expression than power athletes.

Furthermore, lower RAB3GAP2 activity promoted the growth and proliferation of endothelial cells, leading to increased capillary formation.

These findings indicate that RAB3GAP2 acts as a negative regulator of muscle capillary growth. Beyond sport, the study revealed important implications for human health.

Lower RAB3GAP2 expression was linked to a higher proportion of oxidative muscle fibres, which not only enhance endurance but are also associated with a reduced risk of hypertension, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

The study was led by Professor Ola Hansson of Lund University, Sweden, and involved 55 researchers from 10 countries.

The paper, "RAB3GAP2 is a regulator of skeletal muscle endothelial cell proliferation and associated with capillary-to-fibre ratio", was published in Cell Reports on 11 February 2026.