Replacement*
Checked out
On average people were tougher back then. Farmers doing much more manual work, etc. Tougher times, no babying, etc. My great grandfather was an absolute beast of a man in terms of strength and besides genetics some of that had to do with the physical labor that he did that many laborers today would moan about and get hurt doing because they weren't toughened up for it or weren't strong enough to get the job done. Not buying that people back then were lightweights that couldn't punch their way out of paper bags compared to people today.
Could we discuss this in another thread as its been deemed OT?
In anycase athletes are now bigger, taller, stronger, faster and live longer. Nutrients, training, science, public health having its effects.
I see your argument but that doesn't discount that todays athletes are better in any measurable way than a century ago.
Now if the discussion was that people were more physically active and working strong a century ago than, yeah, I agree. But todays athlete has every advantage.