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THERE’S something compelling about watching an athlete put in a supreme effort to beat an opponent or break a world record. Years of effort and dedication come together in a few fleeting moments of competition to decide who is remembered and who forgotten. Pierre de Coubertin, father of the modern Olympics, talked of members of an egalitarian elite striving for perfection. And as the World Championships in Athletics began last week in Edmonton, expectations were high of more tales of great feats.

But alongside the heroes, we’ve got used to hearing about the cheats caught by drugs testers. Some people…

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