Exclusive Q&A: Ashton Eaton reflects on historic performance at Rio
Ashton Eaton retained his title by tying the Olympic record in the decathlon at the Rio Games this month.
Eaton finished with 8893 points, incredibly matching exactly the Olympic mark after 10 lung-busting events. He finished third in the final event, the 1,500 meters, to win gold from France's Kevin Mayer on 8,834 points. Canada's Damian Warner took the bronze.
He has now won successive Olympic and world titles to confirm his status at the best all-around athlete in the world -- and Eaton had the chance to reflect on the Games with AOL.com.
Q: Congrats on your accomplishments in Rio! Does experiencing that kind of triumph ever get old?
A: Not old, no, it's just different. It's like have two chocolate cakes at different times. It's the same chocolate cake but your experience is different each time -– it might be a different day –- it's just different.
Q: What was your favorite part of Rio, competition aside? Any fun places you visited?
A: I hadn't visited any fun places, I didn't had time! The food in Rio is great, though!
Q: What will you do with some much-needed time off?
A: Nothing! And I'll savor it. We're planning a trip to Machu Pitchu.
Q: Some people say the decathlon doesn't get as much fanfare as it should. Do you agree?
A: I agree. I think it needs more media exposure. There's not much more the athletes can do really.
Q: In what ways were these Olympic Games different from your previous ones?
A: These Games were harder to get to mentally and physically, but I think that made the victory more impactful. I felt like I really had to work for it this time. Earlier Games, it was good timing and I was peaking physically. This one was tougher.
Q: How did you get involved with Gillette and what are some of the fun things you're doing with them?
A: Gillette has supported me throughout my Olympic journey. They are celebrating the precision demonstrated by athletes during the moments at the Games when all of our hard work pays off. During the Games, Gillette spotlights these themes through the "Precision Moments Mosaic." At the center of Gillette's own journey toward perfection and the best for all men is the Gillette Fusion ProShield, its newest and most precise razor yet.
