Just read this...
One of many proposed innovations has been to stagger the start of the decathlon's climactic - and cruel - 1,500 metres.
In this way, as in the event's multi-sports cousin, the modern pentathlon, the first athlete across the line would be the overall winner - a big step forward in terms of making it accessible to a general audience, or so one would think.
Asked if he is for or against such a change, he answers: "I was for, now I'm against.
"Because it would be impossible on a 400m track.
"It would mean that the leader would set off with such an advance that, by the time he had done a lap, the backmarkers still would not have started.
"And no-one would understand anything; as a race it would be hard to decipher.
"It appeared to be a good idea at first, but it is not like modern pentathlon because that is...much longer.
Even so: "We will find a solution I think in the next few years.
"The decathlon is hard to understand.
"I think that reduces spectators enormously.
"If someone really wants to understand the decathlon, they are truly interested in it.
“So we have a small public, but a very passionate public, I find."
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1057366/david-owen-kevin-mayer-on-the-decathlon-and-why-pain-breeds-comradeship