If I really felt like I was the world's greatest athlete, I'd get 10 great events. But I know that's pretty much not possible. That's the toughness of the decathlon.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
There's never going to be a decathlon that you're going to have 10 events that your satisfied with. You're always, always going to be dissatisfied in something, and that always draws you back to try to retry that the next time you do a decathlon. It's like you go for the perfect 10.
The decathlon includes ten separate events and they all matter. You can't work on just one of them.
During the decathlon, I always think only of the next event and my personal record.
To be with the other two-time gold medalists is great, but it's great to just be a decathlete.
I was a good decathlete until I got with a coach that really knew how to train specifically for the event... I'd really describe it as like being a juggler; you have ten balls and you're trying to get them all in the air at the same time.
I've dominated past competitions, but I've sweated blood and tears for every medal. I take nothing for granted, and I'm fully focused on doing my best.
When I lost my decathlon world record I took it like a man. I only cried for ten hours.
I've been to three Olympics and I don't feel I've ever quite achieved my best at any of them.
Most people doing the decathlon these days are quite boring, so people don't relate to them.
From the time I started the decathlon, I've loved the event. I didn't know why. I still don't know why.
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