The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hardee withdraws from decathlon after pole vault at Beijing Olympics
08.22.2008 | Track & Field / Cross Country m, Track & Field / Cross Country
Aug. 22, 2008
BEIJING -- Former Longhorn Trey Hardee was unable to clear a bar in the pole vault on Friday at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and decided to withdraw from the decathlon. Hardee had entered the day in third place after scoring 4,428 points in the first five events.
Hardee opened the second day with a 14.20 in the 110-meter hurdles to score 949 points, which kept him in third place. After posting a discus throw of 43.55 meters (142-10) to score 737 points, he fell into fourth place, just 25 points out of third. But, after failing to produce a mark in the pole vault, Hardee decided to withdraw.
The United States did end up taking the gold medal as Bryan Clay won the competition with 8,791 points. Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus was second with 8,551 points and Leonel Suarez of Cuba was third with 8,527 points.
