Estonian hurdler Rasmus Mägi praises Ashton Eaton (2)

In Rio, the 400-metre hurdles final demonstrated what a great athlete Ashton Eaton is. Not only because he won his second Olympic gold but rather because of all the small things that make Eaton who he is. His results do not give the full picture.

After Javier Culson’s (Puerto Rico) false start in the 400-metre hurdles final, Ashton Eaton, who was waiting for his last attempt in discus throw, left the discus throw area, ran to the starter and asked Culson to be allowed to compete because just before the start, somebody had shouted out loud in discus throw and this might have caused Culson’s jumping the gun. Culson, however, was disqualified.

"If a decathlete is able to give his best in his own ten events, but at the same time pay close attention to other events happening at the stadium, cheering me and Clement on (the gold medallist Kerron Clement) and, on top of everything, try to save our race, it is really something extraordinary.".

"I don’t think there are too many athletes who would do such a thing. That is why Ashton Eaton is a superb human being from whom we should all learn something. Fortunately I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him train as, for instance, we were preparing for Rio Olympics in the same place as him. We saw what he is like and I must say I have been fascinated by him for years".

Rasmus Mägi, Estonian hurdler