Eaton ready to chase decathlon record

Watching American Ashton Eaton compete is to view the future of the decathlon.

Already the world record holder in the indoor multi-events, the 24-year-old appears mentally and physically ready to challenge Czech Roman Sebrle's 2001 world decathlon record of 9,026 points.

"That only one guy has done it (top 9,000 points) is a testament to how tough the event is to master," Eaton told reporters after a pre-US Olympic trials news conference on Tuesday.