Decathlete Eaton sets world record at trials

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EUGENE, Ore. – Ashton Eaton likes to compare decathlons to life – the ups and downs, the good and bad, the setbacks and comebacks.

Over two dreary days that finally closed with a bright ray of sunshine, Eaton found out just how good life can be.

He’s the world-record holder in the decathlon, the cream of the crop in the hallowed and history-filled event that has long identified the world’s greatest athlete.

Needing a personal best in the 1,500 meters to get the record, Eaton came through Saturday night at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, running the last event in 4 minutes, 14.48 seconds to finish with 9,039 points and top the 11-year-old mark held by Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic by 13 points.

“It’s like living an entire lifetime in two days,” Eaton said. “It doesn’t mean that much to the rest of the world, but to me, it’s my whole world. To do the best that I possibly could in my world makes me pretty happy.”

Eaton joined the likes of Bruce Jenner, Dan O’Brien, Bob Mathias and Rafer Johnson among the Americans who have held the world record. And he did it on the 100th anniversary of the first Olympic decathlon.

The 24-year-old former NCAA champion for Oregon won seven of the 10 events and did most of it in terrible weather – rain, cold and then, finally, sunshine as he got ready for the final 1,500-meter push.

“The kid is phenomenal,” said Bryan Clay, the defending Olympic champion, who fell in the hurdles and finished 12th. “There’s no other way to describe him.”

While Eaton earned his place in history, the women’s 100 final provided a much less-concrete result.

After a long review, officials determined Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh finished in a dead-heat for third place, each at 11.068 seconds. Only three spots are available at the Olympics and USA Track and Field officials huddled late into the night, trying to solve a problem for which there is no written solution. Carmelita Jeter won the race in 10.92.

Elsewhere, Lolo Jones leaned at the finish line to earn the third and final Olympic spot in the 100 hurdles by 0.04 seconds. Dawn Harper won in 12.73.