Canada’s Damian Warner off to quick start in decathlon

Canada’s Damian Warner opened his quest for an Olympic decathlon title in emphatic fashion.

The 31-year-old from London, Ont., ran 10.12 seconds in the 100 metres to tie his decathlon world record in the event, then put down a long jump of 8.24 metres, 0.04 off his world decathlon best and a new Olympic record in the sport.

Warner is the No. 1-ranked decathlete in the world this year after shattering his Canadian record at the Hypo-Meeting in Gotzis, Austria. His score of 8,995 there was the fourth best in history.

WATCH | Warner ties record in decathlon’s 100 metres:

Damian Warner of London, Ont., matched his world decathlon best time of 10.12 seconds in the 100-metre portion of the Olympic men’s decathlon. Fellow Canadian Pierce LePage of Whitby, Ont., finished third overall with a time of 10.43. 4:43

Pierce LePage of Whitby, Ont., ran 10.43, the third-fastest time on the morning. Australia’s Ashley Moloney was second (10.34). Like Warner, LePage won his long-jump group with a season-best distance of 7.65 metres. The mark was only bested by Warner across the entire field.

Warner’s record-breaking performance in May came after a winter of training in an unheated hockey arena in London. COVID-19 protocols shut down the University of Western Ontario indoor track facility, and his coaches outfitted the arena with a 40-metre track runway, pole vault and high jump pits, and a throwing circle.

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More from Tokyo 2020

The decathletes face gruelling conditions in Tokyo. The temperature at Olympic Stadium at 9 a.m. for the 100 metres was 33 C, but felt like 47 C with the humidity.

The decathlon features 10 events over two days. They still have the shot put, high jump and 400 metres on Wednesday. Thursday’s Day 2 events are the 110-metre hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and the 1,500 metres.

WATCH | Warner, LePage win long-jump groups:

Damian Warner of London, Ont., and Pierce LePage of Whitby, Ont., finished first and second in the decathlon long jump, as Warner jumped 8.24 metres to set a new Olympic decathlon best, while LePage leapt 7.65 metres. 1:09