This poem is a vivid, almost breathless journey through the ten events of the decathlon, describing each discipline in energetic, sensory detail — from explosive sprints and powerful throws to gravity-defying jumps and grueling runs.
Rafer Johnson, a multi-sport high school star who rose from poverty and discrimination, became one of the greatest decathletes in history, ultimately winning Olympic gold in 1960 after a dramatic final event against C.K. Yang.