Top favourite delivers: new builder reaches for gold
Leo Neugebauer is on track to secure the first German decathlon medal at the Olympics since 1996. The world's best performer is in high spirits and on course for gold. Former world and European champion Niklas Kaul, however, is far from the medals.
Decathlete Leo Neugebauer is on course for gold at the halfway point of the Olympic Games. The world's best performer leads the competition at the Stade de France with 4,650 points after the first day. The 24-year-old has a 42-point lead over Ayden Owens-Delerme from Puerto Rico and a 62-point lead over European silver medalist Sander Skotheim from Norway. Canada's defending champion Damian Warner is in fourth place with 4,561 points.
"The stadium is crazy. It's an honor to compete here," Neugebauer told ARD. "I can't complain. I had a good time (in the 400 meters) and delivered very good performances." In the final 400-meter run, Neugebauer was delighted with his season's best time of 47.70 seconds. He raised his arms and blew kisses towards the tribune. At the beginning of June, Neugebauer set a German record of 4,685 points, which he is just shy of in Saint-Denis.
On the way to the elite circle
Neugebauer has a strong chance of winning the first German decathlon medal in 28 years. In 1996, Frank Busemann won silver. After Willi Holdorf in 1964 and Christian Schenk in 1988, Neugebauer could become the third German to win Olympic gold. As the world number one, Neugebauer is the top candidate. At last year's World Championships in Budapest, he fell from first place to fifth after the first day. The VfB Stuttgart athlete has learned from his mistakes. "I will learn from my mistakes and then we'll see what I can do tomorrow," he said. For now, recovery is the main focus.
For former world and European champion Niklas Kaul, the medals are still far away, despite having his strongest events on the second day. The 26-year-old struggled in the first half of the decathlon: 4,041 points put him in 20th place. Ironically, Kaul's 400-meter run was delayed and had to be started again after a request for silence due to the next gold medal win by swimming star Léon Marchand. "Overall, it just didn't go well. I don't quite know why," Kaul said.
Late addition Till Steinforth is performing well. After five events, Steinforth has 4,336 points and is in 12th place. The 22-year-old multi-event athlete from SV Halle is replacing the late withdrawal of Manuel Eitel. After the withdrawal of French decathlon world record holder Kevin Mayer, his compatriot Makenson Gletty is under more scrutiny. The European bronze medalist is currently in 10th place with 4,381 points just before the halfway point.
Leo Neugebauer maintains his 42-point lead over Ayden Owens-Delerme in the DLV rankings after the first day of the Olympic decathlon. Despite having his strongest events on the second day, former world and European champion Niklas Kaul is still far behind in the rankings with 4,041 points.
Leo Neugebauer currently holds a substantial 62-point lead over European silver medalist Sander Skotheim in the DLV standings after the first day of the Olympic decathlon. The German decathlete is aiming to secure the first German medal in this event since 1996.
