Stefan Schmid, born in 1970 in Würzburg, was a leading German decathlete during the 1990s and early 2000s. He reached a personal best of 8485 points in 2000, the same year he placed ninth at the Sydney Olympics. His career was not without
German men’s decathlon all-time list up to 8000 points. Leading the German men’s decathlon all-time list is Leo Neugebauer, who set the national record with a stunning 8961 points performance at the 2024 NCAA Championships in Eugene.
Dan O'Brien had famously missed the 1992 Olympics due to a failed pole vault in the U.S. trials, but redeemed himself in Atlanta by taking the gold. His Olympic victory was seen as the final crowning achievement in a legendary career.
Robert Zmelík wasn’t unbeatable in every meet, but in Barcelona 1992, nobody else combined consistency, peak fitness, and mental resilience as well as he did. That’s why, on that stage, he was the best.
European Cup Combined Events Super League in Tallinn 1997 is remembered for Roman Šebrle's outstanding performance, which played a crucial role in the Czech Republic's team victory.
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