Research addressing elite athletes tends to either identify differences between high-level and low-level performers or the developmental histories of elite athletes. The current study culls input from six individuals who simultaneously coach both elite (e.g., World Record holders) and non-elite (e.g., regional-level) swimmers, and have done so for an extended period of time, thereby filling a void in the literature by providing their opinions and perceptions regarding how athletic performance differences develop. Responses by participants to the open-ended question, “What do you feel contributes to a swimmer achieving top performances (e.g., World Records) vs. excellent performances (e.g., a Top-8 finish at NCAAs)?” were analyzed. Emergent categories (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, lifestyle, training, environment, and a systemic interaction among these) are presented and an interpretation is offered. Additionally, a critique of the methods implemented herein is offered and future research directions are proposed.
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