History of the U
HISTORY OF THE DECATHLON at U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS, By: Frank Zarnowski 58 Second Ave Emmitsburg, MD 28727 Copyrighted, © 1992, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 INTRODUCTION: The decathlon (and pentathlon) was added to the Olympic program in 1911 and first contested in Stockholm, 1912. In 1912 nations were allowed as many as twelve decathlon entries. In the U.S. Trials were held in 3 parts of the country but were not binding. In these days, it seems fair to say, US track and field was dominated by the New York faction of the AAU, and at times, Olympic selections appeared arbitrary. From 1920 to 1928 each nation was allowed 4 entrants in the Olympic decathlon. In 1932 the number was paired to 3. After 1924 the Olympic pentathlon was dropped. World Wars canceled the Olympic Games and Trials in 1916, 1940 and 1944. World records have been set at the U.S. Olympic decathlon Trials on five occasions: 1912 J. Austin Menual/U. Chicago ; 1936 Glenn Morris/Denver AC; 1952 Bob Mathias/Stanford; 1960 Rafer Johnson/Striders, 1976 Bruce Jenner/San Jose Stars and by Ashton Eaton/Ore TC in 2012. Each entry offers a short review of the competition, usually a photo of the winner, a poster of that year‟s Olympic Games, Complete results, meet records and a brief explanation of how each American did at the games themselves. This year’s meet in Eugene, Oregon (the seventh time the Decathlon Trials have been held in Eugene) will be the 24rd US Olympic Decathlon Trials. Over the years Amateur Athletic Union, The Athletics Congress and USA Track and Field (all national federations) have conducted the decathlon Trials for the U.S.
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