Bryan Clay holding his ten-month son Ezra in Götzis (© Lorenzo Sampaolo)
Bryan Clay lived up to his World champion status by winning the Decathlon at the Hypo meeting - IAAF Combined Events Challenge - in Götzis held in the famous Mösle stadium last weekend (27 – 28 May). Surprisingly, it was the first US American win in the 32-year-old history of the Hypo meeting.
In the small Austrian town the Olympic silver medallist set the world seasonal best with an impressive 8677 points showing despite terrible weather conditions on Day Two. The California-based star won four events (100 metres/10.42; Long Jump/7.67m in headwind conditions; 110 metres Hurdles/13.74; Javelin Throw/66.47) producing the third best performance of his career.
He had scored more points only on two previous occasions: at the Olympic Games where he won the silver medal behind his friend Roman Sebrle with 8820 points (the sixth best score in the all-time list, and the second best performance in history in the USA behind Dan O’Brien’ s 8891 points) and in the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki where he claimed the world title with 8732 points.
“Decathlon is about consistency. If I am consistent in each event I can break the World record. This is the target I set with my coach for the 2007 World Championships in Osaka”, said Clay.
“If the World record came earlier than 2007, I would be excited. But first of all I want to get through this year without injuries. The record would be just a bonus but my real goal is Osaka.”
Breaking the record would mean that Clay could become the second man in history to score more than 9000 points. Only Roman Sebrle has so far been capable of this feat, breaking the barrier with his World record set in Götzis in 2001 (9026 points).
Despite the rivalry Sebrle and Clay are very good friends outside the track.
“We have much in common. We both have a family and share the same passion for sport. Roman is a nice guy. After Götzis I will fly to Czech Republic to compete in a Shot Put contest at the Ostrava meeting on Tuesday. It will be a fun competition. The trip to Czech Republic will be the chance to spend a short holiday with my family at Roman’s home. I want to relax a few days and have a good time doing barbeque and playing golf.”
“I need a short period of recovery from Götzis before continuing my preparation for the US Championships in Indianapolis at the end of June. For the rest of the season I am planning a third decathlon meeting to win the Combined Events Challenge.”
In his trip to the meeting in the Austrian Alps, Clay received the support from his entire family. “It was very important for me to bring my wife Sarah and my ten-month son Ezra to Götzis. I wanted them to appreciate a meeting which is special all over the world. My wife is very supportive. Besides my love for athletics, I also see sport as a way to bring money to my new family,” concluded Clay.
Diego Sampaolo for the IAAF
