As if a gold medal and world record weren’t enough, American decathlete Ashton Eaton added another prestigious trophy to his mantle Monday, taking home the Jesse Owens award given to the best U.S. men’s track athlete each year by the USATF.
But even after all the honors and accolades, Eaton still thinks his best is yet to come.
“I can improve in all of my events,” Eaton told the Associated Press. “And I don’t know by how much… the discus is something I haven’t figured out yet. The javelin is something I haven’t figured out yet. The pole vault — there still is a steep learning curve. Maybe the hurdles, as well.”
Eaton, who’d also love to join the 4x400m team, broke Roman Sebrle’s long-standing world decathlon record at the U.S. Trials in June, and then became the twelfth American to win Olympic gold in the event.
On the women’s side, three-time London gold medalist Allyson Felix won the USATF athlete of the year honors after finally winning the women’s 200m race following back-to-back silvers in Athens and Beijing. It was Felix’s record fourth Jesse Owens award, but first following an Olympics.
Now that she’s reached the summit of her best event, Felix is contemplating a serious run at the 400m gold come Rio, but knows there’s plenty of time to make that decision. For now she’ll continue volunteering with Right to Play, an organization intent on getting kids around the world involved in sports.
