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One of the "it" athletes at the London Olympics might be Ashton Eaton, an American decathlete from Oregon who set the world record in the event this weekend at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Ore. His 9,039 points beat Roman Sebrle's 2001 mark by 13 points and were the most in the 100 years of the event. (Photos below).

Longtime track writer Phil Hersh put Eaton's mark in perspective:

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One of the "it" athletes at the London Olympics might be Ashton Eaton, an American decathlete from Oregon who set the world record in the event this weekend at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Ore. His 9,039 points beat Roman Sebrle's 2001 mark by 13 points and were the most in the 100 years of the event. (Photos below).

Longtime track writer Phil Hersh put Eaton’s mark in perspective:

No one sets the decathlon record by accident. Look down the list of the decathlon record's progression and every record holder is among the sport's greats. This is also a good portent for Eaton in London. Every American decathlon world-record holder has also won a gold medal (though not always while they held the world record) — James Bausch in 1932, Glenn Morris in 1936, Bob Mathias in 1948 and 1952, Rafer Johnson in 1960, Bill Toomey in 1968, Bruce Jenner in 1976 and Dan O'Brien in 1996.

Trey Hardee finished second and Gray Horn third to round out the Olympic team.

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Photo 1: Ashton Eaton poses with the scoreboard after setting a decathlon world record of 9,039 points in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. (Photo by: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 2: Ashton Eaton (right) is congratulated by Curtis Beach of Duke after setting a decathlon world record. (Photo by: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 3: Ashton Eaton reacts after running 4:14.48 in the decathlon 1,500m. (Photo by: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 4: Gray Horn places 4th in the men's decathlon at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials (Photo by: Scott Olmos-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 5: Trey Hardee celebrates after a clearance of 16-4 3/4 (5.00m) in the decathlon pole vault. (Photo by: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 6: Chris Helwick places 5th in the men's decathlon pole vault. (Photo by: Scott Olmos-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 7: Ashton Eaton reacts after placing first in the men's decathlon pole vault. (Photo by: Scott Olmos-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 8: Joe Detmer places 6th in the men's decathlon pole vault. (Photo by: Scott Olmos-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 9: Joe Detmer places 9th in the men's decathlon 110 hurdles. (Photo by: Scott Olmos-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 10: Ashton Eaton poses with competitors after setting a decathlon world record. (Photo by: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 11: Ashton Eaton reacts after a throw of 46-7 1/4 (14.20m) in the decathlon shot put. (Photo by: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Photo 12: Trey Hardee (10.50) congratulates Ashton Eaton (10.21) after the men's 100m. (Photo by: Scott Olmos-US PRESSWIRE)

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