Phil Vassallo

Is anyone but me wondering why Ashton Eaton, who is arguably the most talented decathlete in history, is walking away from the multievents discipline for an entire outdoor season at the peak of his career? Why isn't he interested in raising the profile of the IAAF Combined Events Challenge by competing in those sanctioned events? His aim of competing in the 400-meter hurdles this season seems counterproductive to strengthening his dominance in the sport.

Congratulations, Ashton, on your incredible 2012: seven multievent personal bests (100, long jump, shot put, 110 hurdles, pole vault, javelin, and 1500), a third consecutive world record in the heptathlon (Indoor World Championship, Istanbul), a world record in the decathlon in your hometown under terrible weather conditions (US Championship, Eugene), and victory in the London Olympics.

I hope you make this season perfect by winning the IAAF Combined Challenge in Talence on September 15-16.

Thanks for the link to that great photo essay, Jseven1. It's the best on a decathlete in competition that I've ever seen: http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2012/06/a...