Arnold Beckett

Arnold Heyworth Beckett (12 February 1920 – 25 January 2010) was a British pharmacist, academic, and expert on doping in sport.[1][2]

Early life

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]

Career

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]

Honours

In July 1976, Beckett was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree by Heriot-Watt University.[6]

References
  1. "Professor Arnold Beckett: Sports doping expert who later changed sides and supported those accused of drug use". The Independent. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  2. "Professor Arnold Beckett: expert on doping in sport". The Times. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  3. "BECKETT, Prof. Arnold Heyworth". Who Was Who. A & C Black. April 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  4. "Arnold Heyworth Beckett (Death notice)". The Pharmaceutical Journal. Royal Pharmaceutical Society. 284: 120. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  5. "Professor Arnold Beckett: Sports doping expert who later changed sides and supported those accused of drug use". The Independent. 28 March 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  6. "Honorary Graduates" (PDF). Heriot-Watt University. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
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