University of Tennessee Athletics
Pappas Fifth After First Day of Olympic Decathlon
August 23, 2004 | Men's Track
Aug. 23, 2004
DAY 1 DECATHLON RESULTS: 100M | LONG JUMP | SHOT PUT | HIGH JUMP | 400 M
ATHENS, Greece - Former Vol Tom Pappas left more points out on the track than he wanted, but he still finished the first day of the Olympic decathlon Monday in fifth place and in medal contention in Athens, Greece. Pappas ranks fifth in a 39-man field with 4,415 points after the decathlon's first five events at Olympic Stadium.
Kazakhstan's Dmitriy Karpov holds the top spot after day one with 4,689 points. However, world record holder Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic stands second with 4,594 points and is capable of closing the gap. American Bryan Clay's 4,554 points rank third. Great Britain's Dean Macey summed 4,454 points for fourth.
Pappas trails the leading Karpov by 274 points. Pappas needs just 139 points to match Clay for third entering the final five events.
"I didn't make my mark, and I am really disappointed," Pappas said. "I really thought that my training has put me in the best shape of my life, but that is just the way it goes. It is hard to put together. For some reason I have been struggling in the long jump and high jump, and I don't have an answer for it. I will hope for the best [Tuesday] and keep my head in the game. The decathlon is a strange event and anything can happen."
Pappas began his day in the 100-meter dash with a 10.80-second finish, tied for ninth overall. His career best in the 100 stands at 10.65.
After the long jump, the second event, Pappas slipped to 10th in the overall standings. Pappas' 24-feet, 2 1/2-inch leap down the sand pit at Olympic Stadium ranked tied for 11th. Pappas' lifetime best in the long jump is 26-1 1/2.
A season-best shot put heave of 53-0 3/4 vaulted Pappas to fifth in the overall standings after three events. Achieved on his third and final throw, Pappas' 53-0 3/4 mark led his flight of throwers and stood second overall behind only Sebrle. Pappas' lifetime-best mark in the shot put is 54-1.
The former Vol slipped to sixth in the overall standings following the high jump, the fourth of Monday's five decathlon events. Pappas tied for eighth with a 6-8 clearance. Pappas entered the competition at 6-5 1/2, which he cleared on his first attempt. He passed a bar to rejoin the competition at 6-8, which he cleared on his second try. He bowed out of the high jump after taking three misses at 6-9. Pappas' career-best clearance in the high jump is 7-3, achieved during his fifth-place overall finish at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Pappas and the rest of the decathletes wrapped up day one in the 400, as a 39-man field to begin the day whittled its way down to 34. Pappas tied for second in that remaining group of 34 by sprinting the oval in a season-best time of 47.97 to close the day on a strong note. Only the leading Karpov's 46.81 proved faster. The season-best finish pushed Pappas back to fifth place with 4,415 points heading into the intermission. Pappas' career-best 400 time is 47.58.
"I am not going to worry about the guys in front of me," Pappas said. "I have to try to dig myself out of a hole. I am a little banged up, but it is not an excuse for my performance. I felt good in the high jump and the long jump. I don't have the confidence right now. Confidence is a big, big thing for me right now. I have been doing this long enough, and I felt really good coming into the meet."
Pappas continues the 10-event test of endurance and versatility Tuesday. In addition, the newly crowned fastest man in the world isn't quite ready to hang up his spikes. Justin Gatlin, who won the Olympic 100 gold Sunday, begins the first round of qualifying for the 200 Tuesday. If he advances through the first round, Gatlin will also compete in the 200 quarterfinals Tuesday. Pole vaulter Tim Mack gets underway Wednesday.
Tuesday, Aug. 24 (All times EDT)
2 a.m. Tom Pappas, 110m hurdles (decathlon)
3 a.m. Tom Pappas, discus (decathlon)
3:20 a.m. Justin Gatlin, 200m dash (first round)
6 a.m. Tom Pappas, pole vault (decathlon)
12:30 p.m. Tom Pappas, javelin (decathlon)
1 p.m. *Justin Gatlin, 200m dash (quarterfinal)
3:05 p.m. Tom Pappas, 1,500m run (decathlon-final event)
* If Gatlin advances from first round of 200.
