Decathlon, Men

Tomáš Dvořák of the Czech Republic had won the 1997 and 1999 World Championships. In 1999 he had scared the 9,000 barrier with a world-record 8,994 points in Praha. In June 2000 he would show his form by winning at Götzis with 8,900 points, which would lead the world list for 2000. He was favored in Sydney, with only Estonia’s Erki Nool, 1998 European Champion, given much chance against him. Nool was world-ranked #2 in both 1998-99, trailing Dvořák in 1999. American, Chris Huffins, a top sprinter/jumper, won the 100 in 10.48 and led after every event on day one, finishing with 4,554 points, eight points ahead of Britain’s Dean Macey, and 49 points ahead of Nool. Dvořák struggled on day one, placing seventh, 250 points behind Huffins. Huffins placed second in the 110 hurdles with 13.91 and continued to lead thru the pole vault, the eighth event, Nool still trailing in second place. By then Dvořák was out of medal consideration in eighth place. Nool was fortunate in the discus throw. After two fouls, his third throw was also declared a foul, but was then reinstated by an official, giving him a valid throw and keeping him in the competition. There were protests from other teams but the discus mark was allowed to stand. In the javelin, Nool defeated Huffins by 9.20 metres, narrowing the gap to only 14 points behind him – 7,907-7,893. Nool had to defeat Huffins by about three seconds in the 1,500 to win the gold medal but was considered a much better 1,500 runner. Nool ran 4:29.48, leading Huffins comfortably (by 9.23 seconds), and won the gold medal by 35 points over the Czech decathlete, Roman Šebrle, with Huffins getting the bronze medal. Tomáš Dvořák placed sixth.