Doesn’t Thorpe deserve mention as the first world record holder? (1)
If we want to be historically accurate in tracking the world record progression of the decathlon, we would have to start with James Thorpe’s performance at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, when the decathlon was first contested. Using the 1985 scoring table which is still in use today for that meet over 100 years ago, Thorpe would have scored 6,649 points: 11.2 – 6.79 – 12.89 – 1.87 – 52.2 – 15.6 – 36.98 – 3.25 – 45.70 – 4:40.1
The world record progression listed on Decathlon 2000 and other websites lists the following decathletes as world record holders using the 1920 scoring table:
Aleksander Kolmpere, Estonia: 12.3 – 6.59 – 12.92 – 1.75 – 55.0 – 17.0 – 39.64 – 3.40 – 62.20 – 5:11.3
(7,485.610 points – Helsinki, 1922)
Harold Osborn, USA: 11.2 – 6.92 – 11.43 – 1.97 – 53.2 – 16.0 – 34.51 – 3.50 – 46.69 – 4:50.0
(7,710.275 points – Paris, 1924)
Paavo Yrjölä, Finland: 11.8 – 6.54 – 13.97 – 1.85 – 52.4 – 16.9 – 37.31 – 3.30 – 56.70 – 4:41.1
(7,820.930 points – Viipuri,1926)
Paavo Yrjölä, Finland: 11.7 – 6.73 – 14.27 – 1.85 – 52.8 – 16.8 – 40.76 – 3.20 – 57.40 – 4:41.8
(7,995.190 points – Helsinki, 1927)
Based on today’s standards, the scores would be as follows:
Kolmpere, 1922 – 6,162
Osborn, 1924 – 6,561
Yrjölä, 1926 – 6,539
Yrjölä, 1927 – 6,665
These numbers show that Thorpe’s 6,649 was the world record from his crowning achievement as “the world’s greatest athlete” in 1912 until 15 years later, when Yrjölä eclipsed it by 16 points in 1927.
I know what the naysayers are thinking. The field implements were different back then, so the direct measurements to today’s standards just don’t add up. In addition, it’s impolite to compare decathletes of different eras. But here’s my point: Thorpe hardly had track and field experience as a 24-year-old athlete in a relatively new event, yet he was world class in several individual events, such as the high jump. Plus, his performance level against the world best at each decathlon event remains the highest of all time—78.4% efficiency! Doesn’t Thorpe deserve mention as the first world record holder?