Stop Us If You’ve Heard This Before: Ashton Eaton Breaks the World Record, Usain Bolt Completes the Triple and the U.S. Botches a Handoff
By LetsRun.com
August 29, 2015
BEIJING — Ashton Eaton closed out his first decathlon in two years by submitting the greatest performance in the history of the event, scoring 9045 points to break his own world record by six points on day eight of the 2015 IAAF World Championships. One hour later, track and field’s biggest star added another line to his extremely long resume as Usain Bolt anchored Jamaica to victory in the 4×100-meter relay to complete his fifth (!) 100-200-4×100 triple at a global championship. The U.S. once again struggled to perform in a high-profile race as Tyson Gay and Mike Rodgers botched the final exchange and only got it done outside the zone, causing the U.S. to be disqualified, after they initially crossed the finish line comfortably in second place, erasing the medal all together and an opportunity to beat Bolt and the Jamaicans as the US was significantly ahead until the last handoff. o
In other events, Jamaica swept the short relays by winning the women’s 4×100 in a championship-record 41.07, and there were also wins by Russia’s Maria Kuchina in the high jump (2.01m) and Poland’s Piotr Malachowski in the discus (67.40). Read on for recaps and links to more coverage.
Men’s Decathlon: Eaton Powers Home in 1500 to Set a New World Record
After his astounding 45.00 400 in the final event of day 1, Eaton was just off world record pace, but he picked up a little ground in the 110 hurdles (13.69 vs. 13.70 in his WR) and more in the discus (43.34m vs. 42.81) before losing a little in the pole vault (5.20 vs. 5.30). If there was one area where Eaton really could improve compared to his 2012 world record, it was in the javelin (Eaton’s PR is 66.64 and he threw only 58.87 during his WR) and by throwing 63.63 meters tonight, Eaton left himself needing a 4:18.25 1500 (or better) for the world record (68.667 per lap, his best is 4:14.48 from his WR).
Eaton went out conservatively, reaching 800 in 2:22 in second place behind Algeria’s Larbi Bourrada. Bourrada began to pull away on the third lap (Eaton hit 1200 in 3:32.1) but on the backstretch of the bell lap Eaton began to press, upping the pace noticeably. He reached 1300 needing right around 30-flat for his last 200 to get the record, and Eaton used all of his remaining strength to sprint as hard as he could. He gained back a few meters on Bourrada, as the two strived for the finish line.
The clock ticked upwards. 4:14…4:15…4:16…Bourrada crossed the line…4:17…and there was Eaton!
His time was 4:17.52, good enough to break his world record by six points, but when Eaton crossed the finish line, his first instinct was not to celebrate, but rather to collapse to the track in a heap as the strain of ten events in two days took its toll on his body. Eventually, he picked himself up, hurdled a few last barriers (slowly, carefully this time) and embraced his wife, Brianne Theisen-Eaton (herself the silver medalist in the heptathlon).
Heading into these championships, Eaton was already the greatest decathlete the world had ever seen. Now it’s all about Eaton’s legacy, about seeing how he matches up with Bolt, Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps — and make no mistake, Eaton is that good.
Right now, he’s got two world outdoor titles, two world indoor titles, one Olympic title, and holds the world records in both the decathlon (which he’s broken twice) and indoor heptathlon (which he’s broken three times). And he’s still only 27.
Eaton should win the Olympics next year (joining Bob Mathias and Daley Thompson as the only men to to win multiple Olympic titles) and the only question after that is whether he continues to dominate the decathlon or tries to add to his greatness by tackling an additional individual event. We’d love to see Eaton try something like the 400 hurdles (remember, he ran 48.69 and almost won a Diamond League event last year) in addition to the decathlon at a future Worlds.
Afterwards we spoke to Eaton (video below) and his coach Harry Marra (audio only). Eaton admitted being a bit gassed heading into the 1500, but said he had to go after the world record for everyone who believes in him.
Eaton After 45.00 400
“I have a lot of people who believe in me [and as a result] I have to go [for the record]… Really I was just thinking about sitting on the couch when I was little, watching someone like Michael Johnson or Carl Lewis jump or run and that is the reason I’m here today. Maybe there is a kid on the coach somewhere and if I break the world record they may be inspired to do something or get excited,” Eaton said.
Marra also said Eaton does not compete for himself, he does it for others. Once Marra saw the wave going around the stadium during the 1500, he said it was a good sign for Eaton’s chances because he would not want to let the fans down.
Eaton is one of the more interesting and reflective athletes in the sport. He talked about the decathlon almost as an art form. “I don’t really do this for myself. I use track and field for my expression for my belief that you should always (pauses) I don’t know. I think the point of life is to just try and improve. Get inspired to do something and then try and do it better.”
Eaton and Marra Talk About 45.00
On the 45.00 400, Eaton said, “That shocked me.” He said when he crossed the line, “The two things I thought are ‘The clocks off and I must be disqualified because I went into lane 6.’”
Neither of those things were true.
Marra reiterated a point he made when he spoke at an Oregon Track Club event earlier this year — he makes sure never to put any limits on what his athletes can do or think is possible. So he does not know what Eaton’s limit is in the decathlon or the 400.
In the audio clip below, Marra talks about Eaton’s 1500 training, his 800 pr, and more. Marra also said he is employed by the Oregon Track Club, not Ashton Eaton. We said it can’t be a coincidence that two of the best multi-eventers in the world happen to train under him, he must be a good coach and deserves a pay raise. He joked we should tell Vin Lananna that. Vin are you reading this?
The philosophical Eaton had one more piece of advice for people that he takes into the decathlon, “I’m the type of person who always tries.”
Eaton video:
Marra audio here
| POS | BIB | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | Points | 100 Metres | Long Jump | Shot Put | High Jump | 400 Metres | 110 Metres Hurdles | Discus Throw | Pole Vault | Javelin Throw | 1500 Metres | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashton Eaton |  USA |
9045 WR | Points Mark Wind m/s |
1040 10.23 -0.4 |
1030 7.88 0.0 |
760 14.52 |
813 2.01 |
1060 45.00 |
1015 13.69 -0.2 |
733 43.34 |
972 5.20 |
793 63.63 |
829 4:17.52 |
|
| 2 | Damian Warner |  CAN |
8695 NR | Points Mark Wind m/s |
1020 10.31 -0.4 |
972 7.65 +0.2 |
755 14.44 |
840 2.04 |
943 47.30 |
1023 13.63 -0.2 |
767 44.99 |
849 4.80 |
791 63.50 |
735 4:31.51 |
|
| 3 | Rico Freimuth |  GER |
8561 PB | Points Mark Wind m/s |
973 10.51 -0.4 |
937 7.51 +0.5 |
820 15.50 |
758 1.95 |
918 47.82 |
986 13.91 -0.2 |
874 50.17 |
849 4.80 |
747 60.61 |
699 4:37.05 |
|
| 4 | Ilya Shkurenev |  RUS |
8538 PB | Points Mark Wind m/s |
858 11.01 -0.7 |
935 7.50 +0.5 |
734 14.09 |
896 2.10 |
915 47.88 |
940 14.27 -0.2 |
757 44.53 |
972 5.20 |
753 60.99 |
778 4:24.98 |
|
| 5 | Larbi Bourrada |  ALG |
8461 AR | Points Mark Wind m/s |
899 10.83 -0.2 |
937 7.51 +0.6 |
712 13.73 |
868 2.07 |
929 47.60 |
941 14.26 -1.0 |
696 41.53 |
849 4.80 |
795 63.82 |
835 4:16.61 |
|
| 6 | Kai Kazmirek | GER |
8448 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
883 10.90 -0.2 |
910 7.40 +0.2 |
745 14.27 |
896 2.10 |
967 46.83 |
925 14.39 0.0 |
666 40.08 |
972 5.20 |
776 62.55 |
708 4:35.61 |
|
| 7 | Michael Schrader | GER |
8418 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
910 10.78 -0.4 |
987 7.71 +0.1 |
748 14.32 |
758 1.95 |
952 47.12 |
950 14.19 -0.2 |
758 44.58 |
790 4.60 |
769 62.09 |
796 4:22.30 |
|
| 8 | Kurt Felix |  GRN |
8302 NR | Points Mark Wind m/s |
856 11.02 -0.7 |
975 7.66 +1.4 |
791 15.02 |
896 2.10 |
820 49.89 |
901 14.58 -0.2 |
786 45.95 |
760 4.50 |
789 63.41 |
728 4:32.57 |
|
| 9 | Oleksiy Kasyanov |  UKR |
8262 SB | Points Mark Wind m/s |
922 10.73 -0.2 |
955 7.58 -0.1 |
744 14.25 |
813 2.01 |
903 48.13 |
980 13.96 0.0 |
784 45.84 |
849 4.80 |
579 49.35 |
733 4:31.80 |
|
| 10 | Maicel Uibo |  EST |
8245 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
806 11.25 -0.5 |
845 7.13 +0.1 |
756 14.45 |
925 2.13 |
804 50.24 |
848 15.01 -0.2 |
740 43.69 |
941 5.10 |
806 64.51 |
774 4:25.53 |
|
| 11 | Adam Sebastian Helcelet |  CZE |
8234 SB | Points Mark Wind m/s |
841 11.09 -0.5 |
883 7.29 +0.6 |
808 15.30 |
840 2.04 |
830 49.66 |
949 14.20 0.0 |
724 42.90 |
880 4.90 |
784 63.07 |
695 4:37.65 |
|
| 12 | Pieter Braun |  NED |
8114 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
836 11.11 -0.7 |
883 7.29 +0.2 |
722 13.90 |
840 2.04 |
898 48.24 |
927 14.37 0.0 |
707 42.09 |
880 4.90 |
692 56.95 |
729 4:32.46 |
|
| 13 | Bastien Auzeil |  FRA |
8093 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
812 11.22 -0.7 |
876 7.26 +0.8 |
813 15.38 |
813 2.01 |
877 48.66 |
885 14.71 -1.0 |
718 42.63 |
941 5.10 |
665 55.14 |
693 4:37.92 |
|
| 14 | Thomas van der Plaetsen |  BEL |
8035 SB | Points Mark Wind m/s |
765 11.44 -0.5 |
915 7.42 +1.2 |
718 13.83 |
925 2.13 |
802 50.28 |
879 14.76 -1.0 |
726 43.01 |
1004 5.30 |
666 55.23 |
635 4:47.38 |
|
| 15 | Zach Ziemek | USA |
8006 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
903 10.81 -0.4 |
952 7.57 +0.3 |
690 13.38 |
840 2.04 |
820 49.89 |
815 15.29 -0.2 |
750 44.19 |
972 5.20 |
685 56.50 |
579 4:56.66 |
|
| 16 | Akihiko Nakamura |  JPN |
7745 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
892 10.86 -0.4 |
876 7.26 +0.5 |
586 11.67 |
758 1.95 |
918 47.81 |
884 14.72 0.0 |
533 33.48 |
819 4.70 |
642 53.57 |
837 4:16.36 |
|
| 17 | Pawel Wiesiolek |  POL |
7705 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
845 11.07 -0.7 |
833 7.08 +0.4 |
698 13.50 |
785 1.98 |
883 48.55 |
871 14.82 -1.0 |
696 41.55 |
760 4.50 |
649 54.08 |
685 4:39.31 |
|
| 18 | Pau Tonnesen |  ESP |
7606 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
804 11.26 -0.5 |
864 7.21 +0.3 |
712 13.74 |
840 2.04 |
804 50.24 |
835 15.12 -0.2 |
773 45.28 |
849 4.80 |
744 60.42 |
381 5:33.73 |
|
| 19 | Janek Õiglane | EST |
7581 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
750 11.51 -0.5 |
762 6.78 0.0 |
755 14.43 |
731 1.92 |
771 50.95 |
810 15.33 -1.0 |
684 40.94 |
790 4.60 |
867 68.51 |
661 4:43.06 |
|
| 20 | Keisuke Ushiro | JPN |
7532 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
750 11.51 -0.5 |
750 6.73 +0.9 |
785 14.93 |
705 1.89 |
776 50.85 |
798 15.43 -0.2 |
805 46.85 |
819 4.70 |
686 56.52 |
658 4:43.51 |
|
| 21 | Jorge Ureña | ESP |
6858 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
863 10.99 -0.7 |
886 7.30 +1.0 |
651 12.74 |
813 2.01 |
853 49.17 |
922 14.41 0.0 |
568 35.20 |
0 NM |
636 53.17 |
666 4:42.21 |
|
| 22 | Niels Pittomvils | BEL |
6678 | Points Mark Wind m/s |
776 11.39 -0.5 |
781 6.86 +0.4 |
653 12.77 |
731 1.92 |
840 49.45 |
839 15.09 -0.2 |
663 39.90 |
0 NM |
633 52.96 |
762 4:27.40 |
Men’s 4×100 Relay: Jamaica Wins Again as the USA Flubs Another Handoff
When the U.S. beat Jamaica in the 4×100 at the World Relays in May, there looked to be some hope that the Americans could claim their first World Championship title since 2007. With four 100-meter finalists (Trayvon Bromell in for Ryan Bailey was the only change to the World Relays-winning team) to Jamaica’s two, the U.S. was in good position, though Jamaica ran faster in this morning’s prelims (37.41 to 37.91).
And through two legs tonight, it looked like the U.S. could repeat its World Relays success as Bromell (despite coming to a set position less than a half-second before the gun) and Justin Gatlin gave the U.S. a nice lead. Nickel Ashmeade ate into the lead on leg 3, setting up an epic final leg between Mike Rodgers and Bolt, but Rodgers would never get the chance. He couldn’t connect with Gay on their first attempt and by the time Gay finally forked the stick over, they were well outside the exchange zone, the Americans’ gold medal hopes ruined as Bolt streaked to yet another gold on the Bird’s Nest track..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD2wKxcUe18
| POS | BIB | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK | Reaction Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JAM | Jamaica |  JAM |
37.36 | WL | 0.139 |
| 2 | CHN | PR of China |  CHN |
38.01 | 0.157 | |
| 3 | CAN | Canada | CAN |
38.13 | 0.149 | |
| 4 | GER | Germany | GER |
38.15 | SB | 0.147 |
| 5 | FRA | France | FRA |
38.23 | 0.166 | |
| 6 | ANT | Antigua & Barbuda |  ANT |
38.61 | 0.143 | |
| USA | United States | USA |
DQ R170.7 | 0.174 | ||
| GBR | Great Britain & N.I. |  GBR |
DNF | 0.134 |
It was the latest in a string of failures for the U.S. men’s 4×100. At last year’s World Relays, USA failed to make it out of the prelims after a handoff outside the zone. At the 2011 Worlds, Darvis Patton collided with Great Britain’s Harry Aikines-Aryeetey as Team USA wound up a DNF. In 2009, the U.S. again passed outside the zone at Worlds, while in the 2008 Olympics, the Americans dropped the baton.
In the two meets since 2008 where the U.S. actually finished with a valid result (the U.S. was stripped of silver at the 2012 Olympics after Tyson Gay’s drug positive), it beat the Jamaicans just once, at this year’s World Relays (which isn’t as important as Worlds or the Olympics). Fans have been frustrated with the Americans’ relay results for years, and apparently Carl Lewis is one of them.
Carl Lewis on the US M4x1: USATF AND THE PEOPLE WHO SELECT OUR RELAY COACHES, AND COACH OUR TEAMS, SHOULD NEVER BE INVOLVED WITH A USA RELAY
— Ato Boldon (@AtoBoldon) August 29, 2015
The U.S.’s struggles promoted China to the silver medal, the nation’s first-ever World Champs relay medal (men’s or women’s, 4×100 or 4×400). The crowd erupted when China popped up on the scoreboard in third place and unleashed another roar midway through their victory lap upon the promotion to silver. Not a bad birthday present for third leg Su Biangtian, whom the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to after the race. The Chinese only were upgraded to silver after the US had done it’s ‘victory’ lap. Canada ended up with the bronze
We’ve got the results of Saturday’s other finals below, with links to IAAF recaps.
Women’s 4×100: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Anchors Jamaica to Win in Championship-Record Time
| POS | BIB | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK | Reaction Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JAM | Jamaica | JAM |
41.07 | CR | 0.164 |
| 2 | USA | United States | USA |
41.68 | SB | 0.140 |
| 3 | TTO | Trinidad and Tobago |  TTO |
42.03 | NR | 0.145 |
| 4 | GBR | Great Britain & N.I. | GBR |
42.10 | NR | 0.136 |
| 5 | GER | Germany | GER |
42.64 | SB | 0.180 |
| 6 | CAN | Canada | CAN |
43.05 | 0.158 | |
| NED | Netherlands | NED |
DQ R170.7 | 0.164 | ||
| RUS | Russia | RUS |
DNF | 0.204 |
Women’s high jump: Maria Kuchina Wins on Countbacks as Three Women Jump 2.01
Male fan favorite Blanka Vlašic was dancing after her first attempt clearance at 2.01 but Russian Maria Kuchina matched it and got the gold. Vlasic hadn’t cleared 2.01 since 2011 so silver was far from a disappointment for her (2.08 pb).
| POS | BIB | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK | DETAIL | 1.88 | 1.92 | 1.95 | 1.97 | 1.99 | 2.01 | 2.03 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 726 | Maria Kuchina | RUS |
2.01 | PB | O | O | O | O | O | O | XXX |
| 2 | 284 | Blanka Vlašic |  CRO |
2.01 | SB | O | XO | O | O | O | O | XXX |
| 3 | 716 | Anna Chicherova | RUS |
2.01 | O | – | O | XO | O | XO | XXX | |
| 4 | 673 | Kamila Licwinko | POL |
1.99 | O | O | O | O | O | XXX | ||
| 5 | 321 | Ruth Beitia | ESP |
1.99 | O | O | XO | O | O | XXX | ||
| 6 | 431 | Marie-Laurence Jungfleisch | GER |
1.99 | PB | O | O | O | X- | XO | XXX | |
| 7 | 588 | Jeanelle Scheper |  LCA |
1.92 | O | O | XXX | |||||
| 8 | 130 | Eleanor Patterson |  AUS |
1.92 | XO | O | XXX | |||||
| 9 | 934 | Svetlana Radzivil |  UZB |
1.88 | O | XXX | ||||||
| 9 | 281 | Ana Šimic | CRO |
1.88 | O | XXX | ||||||
| 9 | 195 | Mirela Demireva |  BUL |
1.88 | O | XXX | ||||||
| 12 | 629 | Doreen Amata |  NGR |
1.88 | XO | XXX | ||||||
| 12 | 589 | Levern Spencer | LCA |
1.88 | XO | XXX |
Men’s discus: Piotr Malachowski Earns His First World Title
| POS | BIB | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK | DETAIL | Attempt 1 | Attempt 2 | Attempt 3 | Attempt 4 | Attempt 5 | Attempt 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 802 | Piotr Malachowski | POL |
67.40 | 65.09 | 67.40 | 62.04 | 64.40 | 64.59 | 64.84 | |
| 2 | 226 | Philip Milanov | BEL |
66.90 | NR | 60.06 | 64.38 | 66.90 | X | 62.32 | 65.67 |
| 3 | 811 | Robert Urbanek | POL |
65.18 | 60.47 | 61.58 | 64.14 | 64.62 | 65.18 | X | |
| 4 | 449 | Gerd Kanter | EST |
64.82 | 64.82 | 63.52 | 63.95 | 64.01 | 64.65 | X | |
| 5 | 921 | Daniel Ståhl |  SWE |
64.73 | SB | 61.74 | 60.42 | 64.42 | 64.73 | X | X |
| 6 | 386 | Apostolos Parellis |  CYP |
64.55 | 63.20 | 64.55 | 63.63 | 63.46 | 64.39 | 62.66 | |
| 7 | 623 | Fedrick Dacres | JAM |
64.22 | 64.22 | 59.80 | X | 62.74 | 61.73 | X | |
| 8 | 553 | Christoph Harting | GER |
63.94 | 63.94 | 63.55 | X | X | X | X | |
| 9 | 592 | Vikas Gowda |  IND |
62.24 | 60.28 | X | 62.24 | ||||
| 10 | 175 | Benn Harradine | AUS |
62.05 | 58.15 | X | 62.05 | ||||
| 11 | 359 | Mauricio Ortega |  COL |
62.01 | 13.10 | X | 62.01 | ||||
| 12 | 184 | Julian Wruck | AUS |
60.01 | 59.74 | 60.01 | 56.78 |