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Decathlon Quotes

On the grind of competing across ten events.

These decathlon quotes come from people who have actually competed in it, describing an event that never gets any easier no matter how many times it's run. J F Powers writes about a different kind of demanding discipline elsewhere on the site.

The whole decathlon is ridiculous, but the 1,500 meters is insanity.

Quotes by Rafer Johnson

The decathlon is exclusive company.

Quotes by Ashton Eaton

I guess the decathlon's never an easy walkthrough.

Quotes by Ashton Eaton

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is typically quoted talking about the decathlon?
Athletes who have actually competed in it, describing the event from firsthand experience rather than as outside observers.
Is any single event within the decathlon singled out as especially hard?
Yes, the middle-distance run is called out specifically as brutal compared to the rest of the event.
Do the quotes describe the decathlon as accessible to most athletes?
No, it's described as an exclusive group that only a small number of competitors ever truly join.
Does experience make the decathlon easier over time, according to these quotes?
One quote suggests the opposite, that it never really becomes a routine or simple task no matter how many times it's done.
Are there other quotes about demanding disciplines on this site?
See Performing Arts for a related look at another demanding pursuit.

More than one quote treats the decathlon as a rare club, something only a small group of athletes ever truly finish. For related takes on skill and endurance, see Performing Arts and Charles Nelson Reilly.