How do you raise a truly elite athlete?

[Greenmonsters]

A child may be born driven (or athletic or focused, etc), but it is the love for the endeavor he or she must have or develop foremost. The biggest way for them to do this is simply watching and living around the adults nearby who love that endeavor. The adults nearby are also the ones that allow the child to see the sport, test the skills while young, open the doors to opportunities, and find the one sport the athlete will love. If that is missing, then it is a harder road. Find a mentor if one is not in the family.

However, pressure to do it from the parents will burn up that love fast.

This is a gem from left field. The only thing I would suggest is to replace sport with endeavor.