Formidable study ignores the elephant in the room

The Sports Gene by David Epstein. Yellow Jersey Press, €21.40. Reviewed by Jonathan O'Brien.

Digital Desk

14th September, 2013

Sherone Simpson (left) competing for Jamaica in the 4x100m relay at the 2011 world championships in Daegu, South Korea: the sprinter tested positive for a banned stimulant last July. Photo: Getty

The Sports Gene

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What goes into the making of a truly world-class athlete, particularly in today's cash-crazed, hype-powered global sporting milieu? Were you of a cynical disposition, you'd be tempted to reply along the lines of: drugs, drugs and more drugs, plus a masking agent or two, plus an unscrupulous coach, a few dozen handy sycophants in the press and a lot of good luck. That's why, impressive as David Epstein's new book is in...

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