The most prominent annual decathlon competition is held in Götzis. This small Austrian town has witnessed the birth of a number of world and national records and seen athletes reach other outstanding results.
The most important combined events meeting in France is Decastar, in Talence. Besides the French athletes, the list of competitors includes decathletes from other countries.
The US Champion is crowned at the USA Track and Field Championships. The competition is also a trial for the Olympic Games and for the World Championships as the USA national team for title competitions is selected there.
The most important combined events meeting in Germany takes place in Ratingen. The competition is of a high standard thanks to athletes from other countries.
European Cup Combined Events Super League was the top competition for the national teams of decathletes of those European countries which have reached the highest league. The scores of the best three competitors of each nation are totalled to calculate the team score and the winner is the country with the highest total score. Individual rankings are also announced.
The discipline and training applied by decathletes have always been regarded by me as the ultimate in athletic dedication. Whilst it is of course always a huge honour for any decathlete to achieve the ultimate status of World Champion, I cannot help but regard all those who dedicate themselves to this most gruelling of athletic disciplines as Champions - unknown person
