Rio Olympics 2016: Ashton Eaton retains decathlon title to match Daley Thompson
- Published
American Ashton Eaton has become the third man to retain the Olympic decathlon title, winning in Rio to emulate Great Britain's Daley Thompson, and the USA's Bob Mathias.
The 28-year-old world record holder equalled the Olympic record - set by Czech Roman Sebrle at Athens 2004 - by scoring 8,993 points in Rio.
France's Kevin Mayer took silver with 8,834, while Canada's Damian Warner secured bronze with 8,666.
"To win two Olympic golds in a row like Daley and Mathias is very special," said Eaton.
"One day, I'm going to have to meet Daley, shake his hand and thank him for giving me something to chase after.
"My throwing has been bad in the past, but I really got after the discus and shot here. Can I do three in a row? Maybe you should ask Daley."
Eaton in the decathlon | ||
|---|---|---|
Event | Result | Points |
100m | Second (Heat 4) - 10.46s | 985 |
Long jump | First (Group A) - 7.94m | 1045 |
Shot put | Sixth (Group A) - 14.73m | 773 |
High jump | Sixth (Group B) - 2.01m | 813 |
400m | First (Heat 4) - 46.07s | 1005 |
110m hurdles | Second (Heat 4) - 13.80s | 1000 |
Discus | Third (Group B) - 45.49m | 777 |
Pole vault | Fourth (Group A) - 5.20m | 972 |
Javelin | 11th (Group B) - 59.77m | 734 |
1500m | Third (Heat 2) - 4:23.33s | 789 |
Total: | 8893 |
Eaton was the overwhelming favourite to follow Thompson's achievement from 1980 and 84 and is the third multi-eventer, alongside American heptathlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, to win back-to-back Olympic titles.
He has dominated the event since 2011, claiming back-to-back world titles and twice setting new world records along with his Olympic success.
No British athlete competed in the 10-discipline event.
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