Men's Decathlon

Day 2

New World Record Holder Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic had been sitting in 4th place until a disaster in the 110s. Sebrle started slowly and could never pick up the pace over the barriers and ended up finishing in 16.97, effectively moving him out of medal contention.

Tomas Dvorak, also of the Czech Republic, easily outhurdled his competition with an impressive 13.80 worth 1000 points. With that performance Dvorak moved back into the lead. Macey dropped to second while Nool remained in 3rd.

Large points swings didn't occur in the discus but young Dean Macey did pick up 30 points in Dvorak and 73 on Nool. But the next event would see the tables turned in grand fashion. Dvorak and Erki Nool of Estonia are strong javelin throwers and looked to take grab a few points on the Macey. Macey, frequently a 60+ meter (196-10) thrower, was bothered by elbow problems and could only manage 179-2 (54.61). With Dvorak throwing 224-10 (68.53) and Nool 219-10 (67.01), on his third attempt, Nool and Macey switched spots in the overall as Dvorak extended his lead.

With a 123 point deficit Nool would have needed a 20 second victory over Dvorak in the 1500 to win. Nool, typically a 4:30ish 1500 runner, ran 4:29.58 while Dvorak, regularly a 4:35ish 1500 runner, stayed close in 4:35.13. The difference was only worth 36 points, leaving Dvorak the winner at 8902. Nool (8815) and Macey (8603) maintained their positions to finish 2nd and 3rd.

Dvorak's mark is the 3rd best 10 event score in history. Only Dvorak and Sebrle have scored better. Nool, the Olympic Champion, set a new Estonian National Record with his mark. Nool's mark was also the highest non-winning score in history. Macey's was a personal best.

Day 1

At the end of Day 1 it is '99 World Championships 2nd placer Dean Macey (4638) of Great Britain in the lead. Macey's lead is the slimmest of possible margins- a single point. Macey leads Tomas Dvorak (4637) who led through the first four events and holds second at the end of the day. Two of the other favorites, Erki Nool (4531) and World Record Holder Roman Sebrle (4377) remain in medal contention.

Dvorak popped a personal best of 26-5 ¾ (8.07) to win the long jump and pick up more than 100 points on his closest competitor. After the long jump Dvorak held 1st, Nool 2nd, and Macey 3rd. Dvorak extended his lead by winning the shot in 54-4 ½ (16.57). But the margins he held over Nool (209) and Macey (216) would start to shrink in the final two events of the first day.

Macey and Nool both bettered Dvorak in the high jump. Macey jumped a personal best 7-1/2 (2.15) which provided a large enough margin that he hopped over Nool into second. In the 400 Nool and Macey both gobbled up precious points on Dvorak.

Sebrle is a strong vaulter and javelin thrower so the he can't be counted out of the medals, yet.

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