Ashton Eaton of U.S. is heavy favorite to repeat decathlon gold at Rio Olympics

After winning the decathlon at the 2012 Olympics, Ashton Eaton was at a loss for words.

“It’s hard to describe,” Eaton said after he finished the 1,500 meter race to close out the decathlon. “I feel really good.”

The world-record holder in the event and one of just two athletes to break the 9,000-point barrier, Eaton is the heavy favorite to take home the gold again in Rio.

Should he succeed, he would be the first to win the decathlon at back-to-back Olympics since Great Britain’s Daley Thompson (1980 and 1984).

A 28-year-old from Portland, Oregon, Eaton owns decathlon-best marks in the long jump (8.23 meters) and the 400-meter dash (45.00 seconds).

This story was originally published August 16, 2016 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Ashton Eaton of U.S. is heavy favorite to repeat decathlon gold at Rio Olympics."