Defending world champion Tom Pappas placed second in the decathlon over the weekend at the Hypomeeting Gotzis (Austria), the most prestigious and competitive international combined- events meet before the Olympic Games.

In his first full decathlon since undergoing shoulder surgery in January, Pappas posted the third-best performance of his career with 8,732 points. World-record holder Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, whom Pappas beat for the 2003 world title, won the competition with 8,842 points, the second-highest point total of his career. (Only his world record of 9,026 surpasses it.)

Although he was unhappy with a foul in the long jump and a poorly paced 400m, Pappas overall was pleased with his results. "My score was good and I had no major problems," he said. "I am very pleased with my pole vault after the operation that I had on my shoulder, and my javelin went well, too, so now I can look forward to Athens."

Pappas' marks included 10.74 in the 100m, 7.45m/24-5.5 in the long jump, 15.89m/52-1.75 in the shot put, 2.15m/7-0.5 in the high jump, 48.81 in the 400m, 13.90 in the 110m hurdles, 48.73m/159-10 in the discus, 5.20m/17-0.75 in the pole vault, 64.48m/211-6 in the javelin, and 4:49.03 in the 1,500m.

Fourth after Day 1 with 4,400 points, Stephen Harris had no mark in the pole vault and finished 22nd with 7,410 points.

Carolina Kluft of Sweden won the heptathlon with 6,820 points.