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I'd love to learn what's generally considered the greatest single decathlon contest, measured by depth and quality of the entire field. I've been under the impression that it was at the Atlanta Olympics, with these marks: 5th place: 8613 10th place: 8300 15th place: 8249 22 people over 8000 but it's very possible I'm overlooking a contest. Thoughts, or counter-suggestions?

Here are some facts to consider in regards to Asthon Eaton's 8729 at the U. S. Trials: It is the 43rd highest score ever recorded. Only 12 men have recorded higher scores. He is only the fourth person aged 23 or younger to post a score above 8700 (along with Uwe Freimuth (22!), Siegfried Wentz and Dmitriy Karpov). Among the top 50 decathlons ever: He had the 4th fastest …

Thanks Janek. I didn't realize there were questions concerning Pahapill (you've whet my appetite to know more, with your 'many reasons').

I didn't think Andres Raja had an 'A' standard for London. And doesn't Mick Pahapill have one, meaning he would be the sole representative from Estonia? Or is he not competing (I haven't seen any results for him in 2012)?

My understanding is that you can enter up to 3 athletes, provided each has attained the A standard. If, and only if, you have no A-qualified athletes, you can send one athlete who has attained the B standard. Thus, you cannot send 2 A's and 1 B (or 1 A and 1 B, or 3 A's and a B) If someone knows otherwise, please inform. Thanks.

And I thought the B standard was 7950. Do I have that wrong?

Van Der Plaetsen, Dudas And Sarcevic also now off the list.

That mention of Wiberg is a good one. Nice to see him returning (hopefully healthy) I'll take Dmitriy Karpov to win Desenzano, for old time's sake.

During the live coverage of the event, both Dan O'Brien, and later Ashton Eaton himself, remarked that setting a PB when doing an event here and there is much easier than doing so within a full decathlon ‐ and thus, that these pbs, while encouraging, should be taken with a grain of salt. In particular, they talked of how much easier it is to get a long discus throw without the …

I think, at this stage, Van der Plaetsen is the likely winner, no, perhaps with a score over 8100. His big pole vault potential (510+) and solid javelin (60m) should be enough to distance himself from the others, with Dudas a likely second, Mihan third.

Thanks for the corrections, guys. My oversight on Thompson. I had him as 24, but his birthday came after the competition in Gotzis. As for Busemann and Apaychev, my mistake again. They both fell just out of the top 50 scores of all time (Apaychev was 51st, Busemann 53rd), which was the basis for the comparisions that followed. Including Busemann makes Eaton's shot put look a …

Thanks for the update on Schrader, Christoph. Ugh, he's really had no luck since that breakout in Gotzis in 2009. Health is a talent, I guess.

I think you've identified all the likely contenders: Eaton and Hardee battle for gold (edge to Hardee for his experience), with a real battle for third. I fear Clay won't be in top shape, don't know if Barras is, and don't trust Garcia to rise to the occasion. I think Suarez likely edges the pack, with Krauchanka a threat if healthy, and Sintnicolaas, Pahapill and Kasyanov to follow. …

I'll be attending the meet in Gotzis this year. Any tips on how to make the most of the experience? Places to eat/stay etc? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.