Bryan Clay. 2008 Gold medalist in the decathlon in the Beijing Olympics. Ten events spread over two days, the 100 meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 meter run, 110 meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1500 meter run. Every aspect of athletic ability is tested in these 10 events. Strength, speed, stamina.
In the decathlon, every aspect of athletic ability is tested. Unlike many other sports where you can just rely on one facet of athletic aptitude, like your speed or vertical, in the decathlon you have to be amazing at everything.
This video shows the science behind Bryan Clay and his success in the decathlon. I found this video to be pretty amazing actually! The fact that Bryan Clay could still beat NFL player Darren Sproles in a race while going over hurdles is mind boggling to me!
In my previous blog I contemplated the question of, what is an athlete. In my opinion an athlete is a person who mixes aptitude with passion. But, if we were to look purely at the aptitude portion of an athlete, what would make the ideal athlete? A football player, a gymnast, a cricket player? I can say after watching this video that I believe the ultimate athlete is a decathlete. This is because they have to be good at everything!! Throwing, running, jumping, stamina. To succeed in their event they can have no “bad event”, they truly have to be amazing at all aspects of athletic endeavor. This is unlike many sports where an athlete can have strong points and weak points.
I found this video very interesting and eye-opening! It really makes you contemplate what goes into the ultimate athlete and why. It honestly makes me wonder why in media and society track and field in general, and especially the decathlon, is so over looked. When watching the Olympics this summer the star of the athletics arena was Usain Bolt and the 100 meter dash. The decathlon was completely over shadowed by this single event. Why? The 100 meter dash is only testing one portion of athletic ability. I’d like to see Usain Bolt compete against Bryan Clay in javelin or discus throw.
Society has one idealized view of what an athlete is. Why this is I don’t know, but I have come to the conclusion that I disagree with it.
Julie's Exercise Science 