Ashton Eaton focusing on more gold and cheering wife

American decathlete Ashton Eaton is out to cement his title as the world’s best all-round athlete when the World Championships get under way in Moscow today – before turning his attention to cheering on his wife.

The Olympic champion will kick off his bid for another gold medal on the opening day of competition at the Luzhniki
Stadium as athletics looks to lift the gloom brought on by this summer’s drug scandal.

The 25-year-old married heptathlete Brianne Theisen in July, with the Canadian starting her competition on Monday.

Talking about his year so far, Eaton said: “Off the track I got married, so I’m very excited about that. On the track, I had a lot of personal bests earlier this year, so training was going awesome.

“Then I had a slight injury before the Gotzis (meeting in May), which is a big heptathlon and decathlon, but we resolved that, so now I feel good.

“My preparation feels good. Am I the same as I was last year? I think physically I actually feel a little more worn down.

“But this being my first year after an Olympic year, to see all of us sitting up here is actually good because you see a lot of Olympic champions not at this meet.

“I think it does take a toll on your mind and your body. I would say I’m ready to go.”