They are the toughest medals to win in track and field and for the first time an Aussie has one, with 21-year-old Ash Moloney claiming bronze in the decathlon event at the Tokyo Olympics.
But as incredible as Moloney was in the 10-discipline event, his glory was matched by the incredible sportsmanship of his teammate Cedric Dubler who drove him to the finish line as the medal looked in doubt.
"He's sacrificed his own event here just to help his team mate"
Credit to Cedric Dubler for helping Ash along the way right throughout this decathlon ????????#Tokyo2020 | #7Olympics pic.twitter.com/wjGejNKaIc
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 5, 2021
Moloney went into the second last event, the javelin, in second but slipped to the bronze medal place.
It meant the Aussie went into the 1500 metres needing to finish within 10 seconds of fourth-placed American Garrett Scantling to claim a medal.
On the bell lap Moloney was nine seconds off Scantling and fading, but Dubler paced him on home to third place.
As Ash Moloney crosses the line, watch Cedric Dubler in the background nervously checking the time and then instantly raising his hands in celebration.
He knew ????#Tokyo2020 | #7Olympics pic.twitter.com/RlntyYl4AY
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 5, 2021
As Moloney collapsed over the line Dubler celebrated down the straight then screamed with delight for his teammate when he crossed the line himself.
Moloney, in his first international meet, yelled “f*** yeah!’ – not the first time we’ve heard that from an Aussie competitor this Games – and celebrated his Australian record total of 8649, 28 points ahead of the fourth-placed athlete.
“He has been fabulous, hasn’t he?” Tamsyn Manou said of Dubler on Channel Seven.
“He sacrificed his own event here just to help his teammate.”
Event by event for Australia's first ever decathlon medallist, Ash Moloney ⭐️#Tokyo2020 | #7Olympics pic.twitter.com/M1K2bBQSeR
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 5, 2021
Dubler told Channel 7 he had been stressed trying to get his young teammate through the torture of the final event.
“I had to obviously run our own race and try and bring him through but also keep an eye on where Pierce and Scantling were and make sure they didn’t get too far ahead.
“He had me worried for a little bit then I just started screaming at him and we got him there.”
Moloney said: “I could hear his voice bouncing in my cranium like a bat out of hell.
“… Just putting one foot in front of the other. I started hitting a wall at 800 metres and I was a bit concerned but I was like, ‘just stick to Cedric. Don’t let him get too far away.’ I executed and he screamed like a …”
Dubler jumped in: “like a nut”. “Like a nutter,” Moloney replied.
“Across the line I saw I got a PB and I was like oh, we’re on,” said Moloney. “Then I just started crying on the spot. I was like ‘I can’t believe this has happened’.
“He’s very important. He keeps me honest all the time. He always calls me out when I’m being a bit of an idiot. I can’t thank him enough.”
Social media lit up at Dubler’s amazing support.
Cedric Dubler has a share of that medal. Magnificent team man. Moloney looked gone, Dubler paced him, screamed at him and sat on his arse. Drove him to the medal. Superb.
— Michael Gleeson (@mickgleeson) August 5, 2021
Well done Cedric Dubler on a show of outstanding sportsmanship helping your fellow countryman to achieve a Bronze Medal????????
— Theresa Mynott (@Cooltess64) August 5, 2021
Dubler yelling and celebrating in his teammate Ash Moloney's bronze medal win is what the #Olympics are all about!!! .. what an athelete and Dubler.. you are the best teammate/coach one can have!!!! @AUSOlympicTeam
— Dr. Sanchito Banerjee (@sportify89) August 5, 2021
Find yourself someone who loves you like Cedric Dubler loves Ash Moloney. #Olympics
— Daniel Beswick (@DGBeswick1) August 5, 2021
Cedric Dubler – broken and with nothing left, hung in there just to push Ash Maloney to bronze. What an absolute champion of a person!
— Mel Parker (@MelParker_Aus) August 5, 2021
That vision of Cedric Dubler shouting at Moloney to get him home and then celebrating 100m back will be one of the moments I remember most from this Olympics. Amazing. #tokyo2020 #Olympics
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) August 5, 2021
Cedric Dubler types win you premierships. #Olympics
— Chris (@cweaver1983) August 5, 2021
I reckon I’m gonna need a Cedric Dubler by the end of the lockdown.#Olympics
— Warren Smith (@WarrenSmithFOX) August 5, 2021
Earlier Stewart McSweyn and Ollie Hoare both qualified for the final of the 1500m, the first time Australia has had two runners in the final since 1956.
Hoare (3:34.35) finished fourth in the first heat while McSweyn (3:32.54) was fifth in the second heat.
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