Eighty percent of French sport winners in Olympic, World and Europeans competitions have mutations in the hemochromatosis HFE gene

The HFE gene encodes a protein involved in iron homeostasis; individuals with mutations in both alleles develop hemochromatosis. 27% of the French population is heterozygous for mutations in this gene. We found that 80% of the French athletes who won international competitions in rowing, Nordic skiing and judo display mutations in one allele of HFE, thus demonstrating the existence of a favourable phenotype linked to this heterozygosity. •The frequency of HFE mutations in elite athletes is twice as high as in controls.•In the international podium group, 80% of athletes have mutations in the HFE gene.•The HFE mutations are favourable to high level performance in athletes.•Heterozygous HFE mutations could be associated with a favourable phenotype.