(My answer on Quora)
In all sports there are countries that punch above their population weight. Its what makes life interesting. If it weren’t the case then you would expect China, India and the US to run the table over everything.
Smaller nations often upset such linear extrapolation and I for one am very grateful.
Think of Fiji in Rugby Sevens, Uruguay in Football, South Korea in Women’s golf, the Dominican Republic in Baseball, Canada in Ice Hockey and Cuba in Boxing.
Much of this depends on the historic legacy of the sport in the country, overall national interest, its coaching/mentorship programs, the facilities dedicated to the sport and the emergence of exemplary local talent that helps inspire others. Population genetics also plays a role with track and field being the obvious example.
The Hungarians to their credit have developed a first rate swimming program. Katinka Hosszu is poster woman for this program with Kristóf Milák looking set to carry the mantle. Both of these individuals will likely motivate others going forward in what is the sporting equivalent of a positive feedback loop.
Australia set the standard for a self generating program swimming some time ago. Great Britain seems to have followed suit.
Spain have a similar program in tennis. The Dutch pioneered youth development in Football. New Zealand in Rugby Union is probably the gold standard.
Personalities matter. Bjorn Borg served a role model for later Swedish tennis superstars viz. Stefan Edberg and Mats Wilander. The brilliant Moroccan middle distance runner Saïd Aouita acted as a precursor to his fellow countryman Hicham El Guerrouj and even Noureddine Morceli from neighboring Algeria..
In short the reasons are multi-faceted. National dedication though is primary. The culture matters.
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