JOIN US Ashton Eaton set a glittering decathlon world record at the US Olympic trials on Saturday, riding the cheers of a thrilled home crowd to upstage a stellar cast of athletes.
The 24-year-old's total of 9,039 points in wet and cold conditions bettered the 2001 mark of Czech great Roman Sebrle by 13 points and capped an extraordinary meeting for the American, who had already set decathlon records for the 100 metres and long jump legs on Friday.
The world silver medallist will head to London in a powerful decathlon duo with runner-up and world champion Trey Hardee, but Olympic champion Bryan Clay's hopes of defending his title were shattered.
Clay found trouble in the 110 metres hurdles and discus legs of the 10-event competition to finish 12th.
Eaton fell two seconds off world record pace with a lap to go in the closing 1,500 metres, but was lifted by a cheering crowd in his home town to a personal best of four minutes 14.48 seconds to secure the mark. Dawn Harper ensured she will defend her gold medal at London after winning the 100 hurdles with a time of 12.73 seconds, edging runner-up Kellie Wells and third-placed Lolo Jones.
World champion Carmelita Jeter stormed to victory in the women's 100 in 10.92 seconds to top Tianna Madison, who ran 10.97. Third place was being reviewed after Jeneba Tarmoh and three-times world 200 champion Allyson Felix, Tarmoh's training mate, tied with a time of 11.068.
Former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin earlier took a confident step forward on his comeback trail, breezing through the first round of the men's 100 in an eye-catching 9.90 seconds.