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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arnold Heyworth Beckett (12 February 1920 – 25 January 2010) was a British pharmacist, academic, and expert on doping in sport.[1][2]
Beckett was born on 12 February 1920 in The Fylde, Lancashire, England.[1] He was educated at Baines School, then a grammar school in Poulton-le-Fylde.[3] He studied at the School of Pharmacy and Birkbeck College, both part of the University of London.[1] He completed his Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1947 and his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1950.[3] He took, but failed, the Civil Service entrance examination.[4]
Beckett rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s when steroid use amongst athletes was banned from certain competitions. He participated in several high-profile investigations such as Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson who was ultimately stripped of his Olympic gold medal for testing positive for the drugs in 1988.[5] After controversial rulings were delivered following the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Beckett resigned from the medical commission and ultimately became an advocate for athletes accused of doping.[5]
In July 1976, Beckett was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree by Heriot-Watt University.[6]
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