Let us give credit only to the individuals
Individuals exhibit talents in many fields such as music, sports, science, politics and many other spheres. Achievers may belong to a particular country, religion, caste or language group but their performance is individualistic.
These talented individuals are identified with the country, religion, caste or some such thing. For example, chess player Visvanathan Anand is identified as an Indian and India takes pride in his achievement. Many such examples can be cited. Individuals excel because of their individuality, may be because of their genetic potential, a biological feature and not because of their country, religion or caste. The achievements of individuals do not belong to a particular country, religion or caste but to the entire humanity. Country, religion, caste etc taking credit for the achievements of individuals belonging to their group is borne out of ignorance. Ascribing performances of individuals only to their country, religion or caste can lead to parochialism of the worst kind among the gullible masses specially children. In fact this mindset has lead to unhealthy competition and rivalry between different sections of the society. The narratives such as arch rivals in sports field is a fall out of this mindset. When India and Pakistan play cricket the media cries that arch rivals India and Pakistan are fighting it out instead of simply saying that India plays against Pakistan. This invokes a feeling of animosity between people of both the countries. Pakistan or India play well or otherwise because of the talents of the players in the teams and not because of their countries. It is a folly to think that nations or other social identities contribute for the excellence of individuals. Similarly great human beings like Mahatma Gandhi of India, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King of USA and Nelson Mandela of South Africa excelled in their fields not because of their countries but because of their individual qualities. These great performances of individuals are human endeavours not linked to the nation, religion or caste. Let us not belittle them by calling them as nationalistic, religious or casteist accomplishments

America was a baseball player and will be great again.

Ezhil: I disagree that performance is purely the result of individual effort but rather I would say that it is a combination of the environment and the individual.

Consider the case sport stars: it takes years of training while still a child and teenager before attaining the elite level. This training requires a trainer/coach (obviously) but also a huge commitment of time and money from others such as the kid's family, eg: someone has to drive them to and from training and games/competition, pay for club/event fees, training and equipment etc.
To produce an elite level sports star it also costs a considerable amount of general public's money. From local governments contributing to clubs and local events to higher government involvement such as advanced training at places like the Institute of Sport and the multi-million dollar construction costs of advanced world-class stadiums and facilities.

Because of the input of time, money and spectator support required from the community it is understandable that we feel justified in claiming some pride and responsibility of the achievements of our athletes.

1. The facilities provided cannot make an individual who does not possess the requisite potentiala a great performer.
2. The facilities if available in any country can bring out the talent.
3.The developing countries are not able to show great results because they do not have the facilities. One cannot say that people from developing countries are lacking in abilities.This is proven by the emergence of better players from such countries of late.
4. Inequitable distribution of wealth is the culprit.
Skills are not country, religion or caste specific.

It costs a lot having Malcolm and Bill , we'll keep paying with national pride and lumps in our throat.

People are both individuals *and* members of families, communities, peoples.
Since nobody grows up alone, there is always others who influence and inspire them.

The heroes you mention were well aware they were members of particular peoples and fought *for* those peoples, not merely for personal fame and fortune.