Dan O’Brien has no competition. The gold medal is his. It’s the world record he wants-and now he’s halfway there.
O’Brien, who already holds the unofficial title as the world’s greatest all-around athlete, moved into position Thursday to break his own world record in the decathlon at the Goodwill Games.
After five events, O’Brien had 4,736 points-16 ahead of the pace he set in establishing the record of 8,891 in 1992.
He will seek to improve the record-and possibly break the landmark 9,000-point barrier-Friday in the 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meters.
What are his chances of getting the record?
“Fifty-fifty,” O’Brien said. “I’ll try not to put too much pressure on myself (Friday).”
In other key track and field events Thursday, Michael Johnson won the men’s 200 meters in 20.10 seconds, equaling the fastest time of the year. World record-holder Colin Jackson of Britain won the 110-meter hurdles in :13.29.
In basketball, the United States gained a small measure of consolation by beating the Russians 80-71 for the bronze medal. Puerto Rico beat Italy 94-80 for the gold.
Michael Finley of Wisconsin led the U.S. with 24 points, Alan Henderson of Indiana had 17 and Shawn Respert of Michigan State had 11. Sergei Babkov led Russia with 15 points.
