A dramatic finale to the Heptathlon saw gold won in the final 50 metres - and not the man who had led the competition from start to finish.
Victory was claimed by German Andre Niklaus, or perhaps snatched is a more operative word by he was sixth with two discplines to go.
But after edging towards American Bryan Clay, the long-time leader, in the Pole Vault, Niklaus had time on his side because he was a nine-second better 1000 Metres runner.
He did not need nine, because just over three was enough as Niklaus took the race on with just under a lap to go to sprint away to win 2:47.80.
Along the home straight he was celebrating. A bit premature? Clay was battling behind but crossed the line in fourth in 2:50.92. It was not enough.
Niklaus’ time had brought 789 points, Clay’s 756 and the German was the champion by five, 6192 to 6187.
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