Updated at 11:02 a.m., Tuesday, August 24, 2004

SPOILER: Bryan Clay wins silver

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Hawai‘i's Bryan Clay accomplished his personal-best in the javelin today and compiled a total of 8,820 points to win silver in the Olympics decathlon. Associated Press

Clay did it by compiling his personal-best total over two days in the 10-event competition that many say determines ?the world's greatest athlete.?

Buoyed by first-place finishes yesterday in the 100-meter dash and long jump and a personal-best in the javelin today, Clay compiled 8,820 points.

His previous best was 8,660, attained last month when he won the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento.

Only an Olympic-record performance by world record-holder Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic denied Clay of a gold. Sebrle's total was 8,893.

Dmitriy Karpov of Kazakhstan won the bronze with 8,725.

Clay's teammate, Tom Pappas, who was one of the pre-event favorites, withdrew after he injured his left foot in the pole vault, the eighth event.

Clay was in third after yesterday's five events — 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400. He vaulted to second after finishing second overall in the javelin, yesterday's ninth event.

He clinched silver by finishing the 1,500 — considered his weakest event — in 4:41.65, tying for 24th place, good for 670 points.

Clay was the first to make the U.S. Olympic track and field team since steeplechase runner Henry Marsh in 1988.

Despite hitting hurdle after hurdle, Clay opened the second day by tying for sixth overall in the 110-meter hurdles at Olympic Stadium.

But, in a tribute to his immense athleticism, the Azusa Pacific (Calif.) graduate maintained his form, kept his balance, stayed on his feet and crossed the finish line in 14.13 seconds.

It wasn't close to his personal-best time of 13.91, but kept him close.

Karpov won the race at 13.97, with the Sebrle at 14.05.

"I usually hit some hurdles, but not that many," he said minutes later. "But the damage wasn't too bad and I'm still in it."

Clay threw the discus at 50.11 meters that earned him second overall and 880 points.

In the javelin, Clay threw 69.71 meters, besting his previous best of 68.36. The effort got him 885 points and put him in second at the time.

www.decathlon2000.ee/live and Gannett News Service contributed to this report.

Source: Athens2004.com