I remember having a conversation with a mum of a junior national squad member. They spent some time in South Africa. She told me that when her DD started school at 5 all the little people were lined up in the school hall and were tested by the local University. Basic test like if they could catch and throw, running, jumping, flexibility. If they had real natural talent they were then sent home from school with a letter telling mum and dad what sport they excelled at.
Her daughter was picked up as a gymnast. She got picked up from home in the morning at 7, was taken to the gym, trained fro 2 hours, was taken to school. In the afternoon was picked up from school, taken to the gym, trained and then dropped home. The same happened to the swimmers, cricketers, rugby players etc.
Bliss !