Olympic Decathlon: Itasca's Ziemek Finishes 6th

TOKYO — To be among the world's best in one Olympic event is an amazing feat. Excel in 10 events and you earn the title, "World's Greatest Athlete." Itasca native Zach Ziemek, 28, competing at his second Olympics, was right in the mix to receive the moniker and grab a medal while at it.

The Lake Park High School graduate (class of 2012) finished sixth overall in the two-day competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Ziemek finished seventh at the Rio Games in 2016.

The men's decathlon consists of the 100-meter dash, long jump, shotput, high jump, 400-meter dash, 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and the 1,500-meter dash.

Canada's Damian Warner won gold Thursday at Olympic Stadium, followed by France's Kevin Mayer (silver) and Ashley Moloney (bronze). Ziemek's fellow American, Garrett Scantling ended up just off the medal stand with a fourth-place finish.

Ziemek's best finish in the 10 events came in the pole vault, where he finished second. He also had strong showings in the 100-meter dash (fourth) and high jump (fourth).

The U.S. team, which had a gold medalist in each of the last three Olympic Games, did not medal in the decathlon for the first time since the Seoul Olympics in 1988.