Decathlon world record progression Decathlon world record progression The first world record in the decathlon was recognized by the International Association of Athletics Federations in 1922. As of 23 June 2012, 36 men's world records have been ratified by the IAAF in the event. The first world record in the women's decathlon was recognized by the IAAF in 2004. As of 21 June 2009, two world records have been ratified by the IAAF in the event. The current world record holder in the decathlon is French national Kevin Mayer. Over the years athletes have become bigger, stronger, and faster; in turn athletes scored more
Decathlon who wins the decathlon, thus the world's greatest athlete of all times is the recordman of decathlon (Kevin Mayer as of September 2018). This began when King Gustav V of Sweden told Jim Thorpe, "You, sir, are the world's greatest athlete" after Thorpe won the decathlon at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912. The official decathlon world record holder is French Kevin Mayer, who scored 9,126 points at the 2018 Décastar. The event developed from the ancient pentathlon. Pentathlon competitions were held at the ancient Greek Olympics. Pentathlons involved five disciplines – long jump, discus throw, javelin throw, sprint and a