Decathlon -- Would you consider the winner of this event the worlds best athlete?

The winner of the Decathlon has traditionally been considered "greatest athlete" because of the 10 events required to win it. However, all these events are limited to Track & Field so some people might question this title of "world's best athlete" you are talking about here.

Traditionally, the title of "World's Greatest Athlete" has been given to the man who wins the decathlon. 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 current holder of the title is American Bryan Clay, the gold medal winner of the event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decathlon

I don't know. It shows that you've got power, speed, good hand-eye cordination and endurance. It's either the winner of the Decathlon or the winner of the Ironman Triathlon.

Usain Bolt is the world's best athlete. Decathlon is a stupid concept. And Michael Phelps got 8 golds because there's too many similar swimming events, so he's not much of an athlete.

Yes Decathlon winner is the best all around athlete. They demonstrate speed, endurance, strength, agility, and major balls.

Yup, it shows dexterity, wide range of talent, etc etc. He is the whole package, Phelps is one of the greatest olympians ever but Bryan Clay deserves world's best athlete. ( Jesse Owens best olympian imo)

maybe best all round athlete, but not worlds best athlete. there are 10 parts to the event, but it it still only 1 event.

I would say way up there, not THE best but one of the top few for sure.

Best ever? No. Best all around though, yes definitly.

I would definitely consider him the most versatile athlete.

Michael phelps, however, with 8 golds in one olympics is pretty good to.

i wouldnt say BEST athlete but I definitely hold him to a very high regard seeing how he could complete all that and not die