Only three reporters quizzed Ashton Eaton immediately after his first-ever 400 hurdles — almost as shocking as his 50.01 debut (given the worldwide interest).
I videotaped the interrogation and added photos my wife and I shot:
http://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2014/04/20/ashton-eaton-400m-hurdles-debut-can-go-48-seconds/
I didn't include an exchange in which I remarked that his time would have been a world record until some decades back. He wrinkled his nose like, "Oh, that's lame." Actually, the first sub-50 didn't come until Glenn Davis ran 49.5 in June 1956.
I also told Ashton that his time was 6 seconds better than my PR.
(That really WAS lame -- of me.)
In any case, I look forward to seeing the video of the race itself. He said he took 13 steps through the sixth hurdle. Incredible for a rookie.
K E N