Sport
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Dicing with death on the Grand Prix circuit
Are Formula One drivers the gladiators of our day? Roman Grosjean’s great escape has been hailed as a triumph for safety technology. But horrific accidents may also be a crowd-puller.
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Football genius whose flaws made him a hero
Are virtuous heroes boring? As the world mourns footballing legend Diego Maradona, some commentators argue it was not his sporting achievements that made him an icon – but his personal failings.
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Great football shake-up triggers furious row
Should we put our trust in elites? Two Premier League teams have put forward a plan to reshape the running of English football. But critics say it is purely linked to their own ambitions.
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The karate kid racing into the history books
Is Lewis Hamilton the world’s greatest sporting champion? As part of our series on modern role models to mark Black History Month, we look at the motor-racing ace’s extraordinary career.
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The runner who gave up his place for another
Is sport the last source of real values? As we lose our faith in religion and politics, some have suggested that only athletes still manage to keep the flame of moral conviction alive.
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Vote Klopp – the man who knows how to win
Should Jürgen Klopp be prime minister? As Liverpool move within two points of their first league title for 30 years, their manager is being hailed as an international model of leadership.
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‘Life has not been the same without football’
Does football do more for society than politics? The Premier League returned last night, a day after Marcus Rashford scored a triumphant victory over the government on free school meals.
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Germany reboots football behind closed doors
Could English football lose its top spot? The Bundesliga is the first European league to resume matches under strict social distancing rules – stealing the Premier League’s global audience.
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How an ancient mariner became a modern hero
Do we all need a challenge? Yesterday, 72-year-old Graham Walters came within six miles of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean single-handed, showing that age is no barrier to ambition.
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Germany: England’s spot-kick curse is a myth
Do we focus too much on the negative? For 30 years, England’s national football team has been losing penalty shootouts. But new research shows English players are far better than we think.
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‘Time to consign the Olympics to history’
Should the Olympic Games be cancelled for ever? The world’s biggest sporting event is now likely to be postponed because of the pandemic –some feel we would better off without it any way.
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Fury’s triumph ‘the greatest comeback in sport’
Can boxing be a force for good? One man has shrugged off his demons to become champion of the world. But the sport can lead to death and causes an alarming incidence of chronic brain injury.
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Sumo wrestler’s tears make waves in shock win
Are tears good for sport? A sumo wrestler has thrown tradition out of the ring. His tears of joy delighted his fans, but raised doubts about whether it is ever acceptable for athletes to cry.
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Maths: the secret to the game of life
Are there any problems maths can’t solve? It is the secret of success in chess and fantasy football; it is why computers are making more of our decisions. But is life only a numbers game?
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Stunning England become World Cup favourites
Do you agree that these six points make rugby better than football? England may win glory on Saturday, but many are saying the real winners are the ethos and excitement of the game itself.