now, it would be almost impossible to find out. In the future, athletes who have their genes changed might be able to do the 100 metres dash in just 8 seconds or the marathon in less than two hours. However, if a generation of sports stars with enhanced genes were created, it would contradict the whole spirit of sport.

The Olympics spirit — the spirit of competition which emphasises taking part rather than winning — has been violated by the desire to succeed at all costs. In today’s world, winner are celebrated and treated as heroes, but if doping and gene-therapy continue to affect the outcomes of major sporting events, word “hero” will have lost all meaning.