World's greatest athlete visits Sisters

Folks in Sisters got a unique chance last Wednesday to share some time with the world's greatest athlete.

Ashton Eaton, Olympic gold-medalist and world-record-holder in the decathlon, was in town for two Sisters Movie House showings of the documentary "48 Hours to Fame," which explores the rigors of the two-day, 10-event track-and-field competition. The event requires a champion to master a wide range of disciplines - from throwing to jumping to running. Thus the designation of the champion decathlete as "the world's greatest athlete."

The film features Sisters Athletic Club owner Tate Metcalf talking about the electric experience of seeing Eaton set a world record at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, enroute to the Olympics. Metcalf was one of Eaton's coaches at Mountain View High School, and was instrumental in turning the young athlete to the decathlon.

Metcalf introduced Eaton to a large audience at a post-film Q&A session held at FivePine Lodge and Conference Center. The event was a fundraiser for Sparrow Clubs, through which students help families in medical crisis. Two showings raised a total of $3,650.

At the first Q&A, adience member Mac Hay commented on what appeared to be a rather unique aspect of the decathlon: the competing athletes seem to help each other. Hay asked whether that was common in track and field generally or specific to the decathlon.

"It's true for our event specifically," Eaton said. "Both men and women."

In the decathlon, winning is all about compiling good totals in time, height, and distance in the 10 events. Participants aren't necessarily competing directly against each other in specific events, but they do push each other - and that's a good thing.

"For us, it's not so much that we have to beat the other guy or girl," Eaton explained. "We have to beat ourselves and these people (the other athletes) are helping us do that."

One questioner asked Eaton about his nomination for the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Athlete of the Year. Eaton was asked who (other than himself) should win that honor. Eaton demurred, saying he did not follow other sports closely enough to make a judgment. And he is not too concerned about such honors.

"I deal with track first and the awards that come after that are kind of the cherries on top," he said.

In response to other questions, Eaton described a training regimen that is not mysterious. In terms of diet, "we eat the normal thing that everybody else does - just a healthier version of it," he said. "Lighter is always better."

For example, spaghetti might have pasta made from squash instead of wheat, and turkey instead of red meat.

In terms of mental training, Eaton said he doesn't see a sports psychologist or do any specific training. He really just draws on a fiercely competitive spirit.

"I'm a competitor," he said. "I've been in a lot of competitive situations where I had to do something I didn't know I could do. If I try my hardest, something happens that I don't expect."

That's just what happened in the Olympic trials in Eugene, when he had a shot to break the world record - if he could post his best time in the 1,500-meters. The 1,500 is a grueling race, especially coming on the second day of decathlon competition. Buoyed by an enthusiastic crowd, and despite lousy weather, Eaton felt good on the track. The usual tired, dead-legged feeling that usually creeps in stayed away. He was on pace till the last lap, where he had to make up two seconds. He had enough in the tank to do it and ran a personal best 4:14.48 to compile 9,039 points and earn the world record.

Asked what his least favorite event is, Eaton grinned and said, "I don't have one anymore."

He acknowledged that the shot put had been the most frustrating event for him, while the pole vault is probably his favorite "because it encompasses speed, strength and coordination."

Eaton noted that decathletes devote the vast majority of their training time to perfecting technique.

"Technique has to be 90 percent of our deal, for sure," he said.

After the Q&A session, Eaton took time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans and well-wishers. He may be the world's greatest athlete, but his feet are planted firmly on the ground. One woman noted that he is going to help with a fundraiser for the Bend-La Pine School District to fund pay-to-play scholarships. The woman thanked Eaton and said: "I just think you are a great asset to your community."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

• Email: editor@nuggetnews.com
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