Niki Lauda dies aged 70: Inspirational exceptionalism

The idea that we are all born equal is more a comfort than a truth; we may wish it were so, but in terms of capacity, in terms of talent and potential, fate laughs at that idea every day.

We pursue, celebrate, and reward exceptionalism spectacularly in the arts, in entertainment, in business, and in politics. However, professional sport seems no more than the organised pursuit of exceptionalism.