Warner makes Canadian decathlon history
London Community News
After only taking up the decathlon about two years ago, local athlete Damian Warner leapt past expectations at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England to finish in fifth place.
The 22 year old set six personal bests in the 10 track and field event competition, scoring a total of 8,442 points when it was all over Thursday (Aug. 9)—the second highest amount in Canadian Olympic history next to former world champion Mike Smith.
Warner was in third place after the first day of competition Wednesday and fourth heading into the final event, 1500-metre run, the next day.
World-record holder Ashton Eaton of the United States won the gold medal with a score of 8,869, beating compatriate Trey Hardee who finished second with 8,671. Cuba’s Leonel Suarez took bronze.