American Ashton Eaton, the defending champion and world record-holder, won gold with 8,893 points while France’s Kevin Mayer took silver with 8,834 points. “One day, I’m going to have to meet Daley, shake his hand and thank him for giving me something to chase after”, said Eaton, who is only the third man in history to win two decathlon golds, after Thompson and compatriot Bob Mathias.
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“On the straight, my body didn’t respond”.
Eaton captured the gold medal, his second in a row in the discipline. “What else can I do to prove to the world I am the greatest?” Concentrating on not messing that up for Bolt, a Jamaica team led by Asafa Powell got into the final in an important moment for the big man’s legacy.
Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., made her move in the second round of women’s golf at the Olympics after five consecutive birdies to finish 7-under 64.
In a dazzling display of his all-around athleticism, American Ashton Eaton ran faster, jumped higher and threw farther than his decathlon rivals to become one of the few men in Olympic history to repeat as victor of the 10-event competition. “There was some pressure to make it to the finals”.
In one burst Wednesday night, dubbed the “awesome hour” by victorious long jumper Tianna Bartoletta, the US team added six medals in around 60 minutes.
Muhammad’s American colleague Ashley Spencer came through with a late run to take the bronze medal ahead of the Czech Republic’s double world champion Zuzana Hejnova, clocking a personal best of 53.72.
Hurdler Clement was so confident of a first Olympic individual gold, he had his mother, Claudette, bring a star-spangled banner from home.
– Sue Bird wasn’t missed by the USA women’s basketball team as Diana Taurasi scored 18 points to lead the Americans to an 86-67 win against France. The baton went down, the Americans protested, and they got another go. “I am probably the last person who would want to be involved in anything like this”.
While Eaton failed to reach the heights set by his own world record, his score of 8,893 points was more than enough to win and tie the Olympic record.
“How can’t there be one stinking point in there somewhere?”
Eaton had briefly darted away from the decathlon in the morning session to congratulate Clement as his teammate knelt exhausted in the midday sun after the 400-meter hurdles final.
The other non-American gold medalist of the day was Sara Kolak of Croatia in the women’s javelin throw, setting a national record of 66.18. With Gardner on the third leg, the United States actually turned in the fastest time among all teams on Thursday at 41.76.
In an odd sight, the US relay team ran by itself on the track Thursday night, trying to secure one of the top eight times in the event.
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By then, Bolt says he will be done at the Olympics forever. “So hopefully people can read about me as the greatest”.
