Decathlon

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(Redirected from Decathalon)

This article refers to the sporting constest. For the sports store chain of the same name see Decathlon Group.

A decathlon is an athletic contest made up of 10 events. The term decathlon usually refers to an athletic (track and field) event. Normally occurring over two days, the event pushes athletes to their limits.

Day 1:

Day 2:

In each event, the athlete scores points according to the marks achieved. In each field event the athletes receive three attempts, in each track event the competitors are divided into heats by personal best. The athlete accumulating the highest number of points wins the competition. Decathlon (and heptathlon) competitions tend to be more friendly than individual events, with each competitor having different strengths and weaknesses and thus helping each other. It is traditional that all competitors take part in a lap of honour after completing the final event.

The decathlon has been included in the program of the Olympic Games since 1912. It is one of the most highly respected Gold Medals. In many cases, including international competition, it is only contested by men. Women compete in the heptathlon, a similar contest made up of seven events.

Due to the inclusion of throwing events, indoor decathlon competitions are impractical. During the indoor season, decathletes compete in the men's heptathlon, featuring different events compared to the women's heptathlon.

1 World Records
2 Top 10 performers
- 2.1 Other famous decathletes
3 External links

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World Records

The decathlon world record is:

Roman Šebrle 9026 pts Götzis, AUT 27 May 2001

And the unofficial world record for women:

Austra Skujyte 8366 pts Columbia, USA 15 April 2005 (awaiting verification)

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Top 10 performers

Accurate as of January 1 2006.

Mark	Athlete	Nationality	Venue	Date
9026	Roman Šebrle	Template:CZE	Götzis	May 27 2001
8994	Tomáš Dvorák	Template:CZE	Prague	July 4 1999
8891	Dan O'Brien	Template:USA	Talence	September 9 1992
8847	Daley Thompson	Template:GBR	Los Angeles	August 9 1984
8832	Jürgen Hingsen	Template:FRG	Mannheim	June 9 1984
8820	Bryan Clay	Template:USA	Athens	August 24 2004
8815	Erki Nool	Template:EST	Edmonton	August 7 2001
8792	Uwe Freimuth	Template:GDR	Potsdam	July 21 1984
8784	Tom Pappas	Template:USA	Palo Alto	June 22 2003
8762	Siegfried Wentz	Template:FRG	Bernhausen	June 5 1983