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EUGENE, Ore. - The way Tom Pappas collapsed at the finish line Monday night at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials at Hayward Field, you would think he had missed out on one of the Olympic slots. Not the case.
The former University of Tennessee star finished third in front of his hometown crowd with 8,511 points, becoming the first decathlete ever to qualify for three Olympics.
"I feel like the one thing missing from my career is a good Olympic games," Pappas said.
Now he will have a chance to fix that.
Bryan Clay won the event with 8,832 points, setting an Olympic Trials record. Trey Hardee edged out Pappas for second place with 8,534 points.
"My big goal was finish top three, and I'm thankful I made it through," Pappas said.
Jangy Addy of Tennessee finished sixth with 8,025 points and former Vol Chris Helwick finished seventh with 8,010.
Pappas' best event of the day was the pole vault. He equaled his lifetime best of 17 feet, 3/4 inches on his third attempt as the crowd roared.
"I felt like I could jump pretty high today and had good momentum," said Pappas, who tried three times to clear 17-4 3/4 with no success.
Helwick stole the show in the javelin - an event Pappas did not do particularly well in with a 194-8 - throwing a personal best 216-4 on his first attempt and improving on every throw.
Pappas, who estimated that he's had nine surgeries, said he feels healthy and ready to go to Beijing.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by golfballs03 on July 1, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
go vols. give them Chinese hell!
Posted by knoxnewsuser on July 1, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tom Pappas is a great guy and I hope that he wins a medal. He has been through some tough injuries.
Posted by smitbo7 on July 1, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Three former Vols in the top seven. Coach Calves does a great job with the decatheletes at UT. Go get'em Tom.
Posted by exvol36 on July 1, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I got to workout with Tom back at UT. He is one of the nicest guys I have met and probably the greatest athlete I have ever been around. Good for him!
Posted by LiveFaith on July 1, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, what a phenom! Not due to the athletes, but I'll be boycotting these corrupt games in an evil police state.
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