Eaton’s 2012 win wasn’t just about points - it re-energized global interest in the decathlon and reminded everyone that the event demands speed, strength, endurance, and mental resilience in equal measure.

Daley Thompson successfully defended his Olympic title, having also won the 1980 Moscow Games. The rivalry between Thompson and Jürgen Hingsen was one of the big storylines: both were world record holders in the early 1980s, and their duels …

↗ High altitude event (2240m)

This was Daley Thompson’s first Olympic gold. He was only 22 years old and already establishing himself as a rising star in combined events.

Markus Rooth became the first Norwegian athlete to win the decathlon gold medal at the Olympic Games since Antwerpen 1920

Ashton Eaton successfully defended his Olympic Champion title from London 2012, scoring 8893 points, which tied the existing Olympic record

Olympic Games Stockholm 1912 - only 12 of the 29 starters finished the entire decathlon event

Erki Nool became a national hero in Estonia. His Olympic victory is remembered as one of the most dramatic in modern decathlon history

Canada’s Damian Warner has joined an elite group of men with 9000+ points in the decathlon. His mark of 9018 points becomes an Olympic record.

One hour decathlon is a special type of decathlon, in which the athletes have to start the last of ten events (1500m) within sixty minutes after the start of the first event

Where Legends Begin: The Story of the Decathlon

Pan American Games’ full history features all-time decathlon records and winners, showcasing the standout athletes and performances across the event’s history.