For some aficionados of athletics the 100 metres sprint has lost all appeal. It seems the line has been broken between what is real and what is not, and the event is now destroyed by ego as much as advances in science.
So yesterday in Santry was a like step back in time, before the thrill was gone. When the only limits were the rhythm and length of the stride, and not what was fuelling it. When across the eight lanes all hearts raced, and continued long after the clock stopped.
Such raw and natural affection for sport was always going to set these Special Olympics apart. Yet something about yesterday, when they ran off all 33 divisions of the women's 100 metre finals, tasted gloriously refreshing, and was sport truly undivided.
Some of races will stick in the head for a while. Like the athlete who waved into the crowds in the stand the whole way. The rare decisive victory in one race (Poland's Mariola Tomsia), and the genuine blanket finish to another.
In the stands too there was constant chants and singing courtesy of team Lesotho. Every finisher produced the same winning smile, and not one of them looked at the clock. Running was all that mattered.
From an organisational point of view it was also remarkable to watch. All 33 races were decided within an hour. And down on the start line every athlete was frozen perfectly to the spot.
There was only one disqualification for a false start, and for 33 different races that must definitely be a world record.
Team Ireland had two finalists, the first up being Dublin's Monica Byrne in division 24. Running in lane eight - not a good draw - she finishes in 20.41 seconds, right there on her personal best, and part of a very tight finish. Later she is awarded the seventh place ribbon, as one athlete is disqualified for a lane infringement.
As is the custom now, as an Irish athlete she is the centre of attention. "Don't tell me you want to interview me as well," she says when approached for a comment.
"Well I'm very happy with that. And dedicate it again to my mother (also Monica). I was second in the long jump, and also have the relay to come, so it's been a great week." The gold was awarded to the American Michelle Boster (who ran 18.29 seconds) but the disqualified athlete, Algeria's Amina Boubekeur is not forgotten, and still gets her participation award.
On medal duty is John Treacy, an athlete who knows a little about holding Olympic medals. So there is strong hope that Waterford athlete Geraldine O'Regan can get to the podium too in her division of the 100 metres.
Again the finish line comes quickly, and the athletes cross almost in unison. Victory goes to the German Carola Nicklisch in 21.75 seconds, with O'Regan claiming fourth in 24.06. More thumbs up and high fives. Another of the advantages of running for the host nation.
On the far side of the track, the long jump finals are also underway and all Irish eyes are on Stephen Russell. One of the real talents of team Ireland. A radio documentary during the week told the story of his journey from Mullingar to the Special Olympics, and it seems everyone in the stadium with an Irish flag are now supporting him.
There are five finalists, each with three jumps. With his first effort Russell takes off nearly two feet behind the board, and is measured with 3.52 metres. Clearly there is great potential for more.
The competition is hot though and the Italian Valentino Cordaro jumps 5.16 metres with his first attempt. Russell needs to improve, and he does, jumping 4.83 metres, and then 4.86 metres. A great effort but on the day leaves him just outside the medals in fifth place. Indeed the Italian's jump took gold.
Russell says afterwards that he was a little nervous, and felt a little bit of the pressure. But for an athlete who has only been long jumping for two years it was a performance every Irish supporter was proud of.