Australia's Daniel Golubovic calls time on Olympics career after heartwarming moment with emotional rival caught on camera
Updated . First published at
Team Australia athletics co-captain Daniel Golubovic has quietly confirmed he won't be competing in the Olympics again after closing his debut campaign in 19th position.
The 30-year-old Commonwealth Games silver medallist, who finished the men's decathlon on Sunday with a tally of 7566 points, told the AOC that although his first Olympics had been a positive experience, Paris 2024 would also be his final Olympics.
"There's good days in sport, there's bad days in sport," Golubovic said.
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"I had myself a couple of rough ones. But this was the most incredible experience of my career," he continued.
Daniel Golubovic has called time on his Olympics career after making his debut at Paris 2024. Getty
"The crowd, the environment, the combination of being in the Village and being around just so much talent it is truly infectious," Golubovic concluded.
Golubovic's decathlon campaign in Paris included clearing 4.60m in the pole vault, a score equal to his season's best. He also launched 59.33m in the javelin.
Calling time on his Olympics career came just after Golubovic put the spirit of Australia on full display at the conclusion of the men's decathlon, where he was seen consoling his tearful rival.
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After the gruelling 10-leg event – which concluded with a 1500m race inside Stade de France – several athletes collapsed in exhaustion and despair.
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While the winner Markus Rooth celebrated in emotional scenes, hugging his family and friends in the crowd, there were others who felt the agony of defeat.
One of those competitors was Estonian Janek Oiglane, who was on the verge of tears after finishing the final portion of the decathlon.
Golubovic consoles one of his decathlon rivals. Getty
Slumped on the floor in disappointment, it was Golubovic who crouched down to comfort Oiglane in a tremendous show of sportsmanship.
The Australian brushed aside his own heartbreak to prop up Oiglane, who came in fifth – 14 places ahead of Golubovic.
Germany's Leo Neugebaur took out silver and Grenada's Lindon Victor claimed bronze.
