Crossword Genius

Group of events the old can put off (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

decathlon

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'group of events' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'the old can put off' is the wordplay.
'put off' indicates anagramming the letters.
'the'+'old'+'can'='theoldcan'
'theoldcan' anagrammed gives 'DECATHLON'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for decathlon that I've seen before include "Event, or events" , "Olympic athletics event" , "Athletic contest with ten different events" , "sporting contest" , "Competition comprising ten events" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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