Ashton Eaton set a world record in the decathlon at the US Olympic Track and Field Trials on a wild Saturday that also featured a dead heat for a London Olympic berth in the women's 100 metres
Eaton scored 9,039 points in the 10-event meet, breaking the old world mark of 9,026 points set by Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic in 2001 and shattering Dan O'Brien’s former American record of 8,891 from 1992.
“There are few words to say to describe it,” Eaton said. “To have that score and what I did, it’s like I worked so hard to do that. It’s hard to explain. I like running and jumping. To me, it’s my whole world. To do the best I possibly could in my world makes me very happy.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Eaton made himself the favourite for the London Olympics by shaving more than four seconds off his personal best in the 1,500, his fifth event and 10th over two days.