Such emulation is a fundamentally social process. Uganda never achieved this critical mass of athletes competing overseas, partly because of the chaos in the country in the 1970s and early 1980s. But Ethiopia, Morocco, Tunisia and other countries are achieving it and we may be witnessing the beginning of the end of Kenya's domination of middle and long distance running. One genetic theory that I find easier to accept is based on the DNA testing research of Professor Kidd of Yale University. Africans have the broadest spectrum of variability, with rarer versions at either end.
Olympic champions are in some way physical freaks.
Their bodies are exceptional, and especially for distance running, they have extraordinarily efficient cardiovascular systems, often with an incredibly low pulse rate. Where the truth lies in this debate I do not know. I am just a humble coach who holds a stopwatch at the edge of a running track.