Clay Wraps Up Decathlon Gold
American Bryan Clay won the gold medal in the decathlon, earning the unofficial title of "world's greatest athlete" for the next four years. Clay, the silver medalist four years ago in Athens, finished some 30 seconds behind the leaders in the 1,500-meter run, perhaps his worst event of the 10 that make up the decathlon, but had a commanding lead entering the event and still won by 240 points over silver medalist Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus -- the largest margin of victory in an Olympic decathlon since 1972.
Clay collapsed in exhaustion barely five feet past the finish line, but rallied to hug his family in the stands and wrap himself in an American flag.
By
Dave Sheinin
|
August 22, 2008; 9:47 AM ET
| Category:
Track and Field
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Posted by: Alan | August 22, 2008 12:08 PM
Good for Clay. A great athlete and a great person. Congrats bud, I for one am mightily proud of you!!
Posted by: Zak | August 22, 2008 12:10 PM
Congratulations Clay! You are the world's greatest, all-around athlete. America is very proud of you!
Posted by: TwinsMom | August 22, 2008 12:18 PM
what a magnificent performance by clay. i hope nbc properly lauds this achievement. for all of bolt's incredible speed and phelps domination in one venue, i believe that the greatest olympic athletes are the men's decathlon and women's heptathlon champions. the rare repeat champions qualify as the greatest of all times like mathias and joyner-kersee.
Posted by: george | August 22, 2008 12:21 PM
from all of us who expected more of our sprinters, good to have this medal. best wishes to you and hope to see you on the wheaties box!1
Posted by: anthony | August 22, 2008 12:46 PM
Bryan Clay,now there's an athlete!
Posted by: Hammer | August 22, 2008 12:53 PM
Congrats Bryan! "So run, that ye may obtain." 1 Corinthians 9:24
Posted by: Godfather | August 22, 2008 1:09 PM
The USA's and Hawaii's Bryan Clay...CONGRATS!
Posted by: Dean in Hawaii | August 22, 2008 1:30 PM
Congrats, brother!! All your family, friends and fans in Kane'ohe, Hawai'i are so very proud of you! Mahalo (thank you) for being a great example to our keiki (children) and hopefully you're gold medal win will convince our Hawai'i state legislators to keep Physical Education in the schools. Love to you, your 'ohana in California and in Hawai'i, and especially your baby boy...hope he continues to keep you running! ;oP
Me ke aloha pumehana (With the warmest aloha),
A Kane'ohe girl
Posted by: Lina Girl | August 22, 2008 2:30 PM
Congrats, brother!! All your family, friends and fans in Kane'ohe, Hawai'i are so very proud of you! Mahalo (thank you) for being a great example to our keiki (children) and hopefully you're gold medal win will convince our Hawai'i state legislators to keep Physical Education in the schools. Love to you, your 'ohana in California and in Hawai'i, and especially your baby boy...hope he continues to keep you running! ;oP
Me ke aloha pumehana (With the warmest aloha),
A Kane'ohe girl
Posted by: Lina Girl | August 22, 2008 2:42 PM
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Way to go Clay! Congratulations! Hopefully some/more endorsements will come your way.