Damian Warner’s Olympic medal hopes dashed in decathlon

Canada’s Damian Warner started Day 2 of the decathlon at the 2024 Paris Olympics with strong momentum, recording impressive performances in the 110m hurdles and discus throw. However, the eighth event, the pole vault, proved to be Warner’s undoing as he recorded no clearances at his entry mark of 4.60 metres. As a result, Warner will earn no points for the pole vault, effectively ending his Olympic medal hopes.

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— Canadian Running (@CanadianRunning) August 3, 2024

Heading into the pole vault, Warner was in second place with 6,428 points, trailing only Germany’s Leo Neugebauer. Unfortunately, Warner failed all three attempts at his starting height of 4.60 meters, resulting in a “no height” and earning 0 points.

Norway’s Skotheim Sander entered the event in third place and also failed to clear his entering height.

After Day 1, Warner told Canadian Running that his execution in the pole vault and javelin throw would be crucial in defending his Olympic title. To win the decathlon, an athlete needs to be near perfect across all 10 events, which is why it is considered one of the hardest events in athletics.

Warner came to Paris looking to join an exclusive club of multi-event athletes who have won back-to-back Olympic titles. Only American Bob Mathias (1948, 1952), Great Britain’s Daley Thompson (1980, 1984) and American Ashton Eaton (2012, 2016) have repeated as champions.

Paris 2024 will mark the first time Warner has not placed in the top five in a decathlon. He finished fifth at London 2012, won bronze in Rio 2016, and claimed gold in Tokyo 2020.

Athletics events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are taking place from Aug. 1-11. Today’s coverage is brought to you by Canadian Running and New Balance Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.