Oregon Track and Field: Ashton Eaton Announces Retirement
Former US Track and Field and Oregon Decathlete Ashton Eaton has announced his retirement.
It is a sad day, but a memorable one for Track and Field fans in Tracktown USA. Former Oregon Duck and Decathlete Ashton Eaton announced his retirement from the sport on Twitter on Wednesday morning. One cannot say enough about his dedication and performance in the sport in the last decade.
His wife, Brianne Theisen-Eaton also announced she was stepping away from the sport in the joint announcement.
The 2012 Olympic Trials was his pivotal performance. That first weekend is one that those who witnessed it in person will never forget. In the wind and rain, Eaton set a new record and went on to the Olympics in London and won the Gold Medal. The dedication to the sport is also a dedication to your body. Putting the right stuff into it to getting the most out of it through 10 different events.
I give everything to the decathlon. I did all I could. Thank u for making it the best time of my life. I'm retiring. https://t.co/x6kPMp9Jxz
— Ashton Eaton (@AshtonJEaton) January 4, 2017
Happy retirement to the GOATs @AshtonJEaton and @btheiseneaton you lead by example from Oregon to pro's THANKYOU ! #GoDucks
— English Gardner , OLY (@UgHLyDuCkLiN) January 4, 2017
Ashton Eaton was at his best in the running events but has also dealt with some injuries during his career. Before the 2016 Olympic Trials, it appeared that age was starting to win the battle. He spoke to the media then about some aches and pains cropping up.
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The former Oregon Ducks found a way to deal with the pain and earned his second gold medal in the Decathlon in back to back attempts. He finishes career on top, which is the perfect place.