And yes, it would be tactless and insulting for a professional (a coach, or a sports doctor) to remark, "I guess it skipped a generation, huh?"
I personally wouldn't find that either tactless or insulting, but rather obviously true. My DD isn't athletically gifted in the global sense, but she's a very good swimmer. I've often commented that she clearly didn't get that from me, and would laugh and agree if one of her swim teachers said it must have skipped a generation. But I've got no self-worth tied up in the idea that I can swim, whereas I do have self-worth tied up in the idea that I'm smart.
