Olympic decathlete Paul Terek retires

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Olympic decathlete Terek retires

BY BRAD EMONS
OBSERVER STAFF WRITER
• OCTOBER 30, 2010

Olympic decathlete Paul Terek recently announced that he is officially retiring from the sport of track and field at the age of 31.


The Livonia Franklin High grad, who finished 21st in the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece, said Friday he will transition to full-time job at the Diablo Valley (Calif.) Nuclear Power Plant in January where he’ll become a engineering supervisor.

Terek, who also competed in three IAAF World Championships (Paris, Helsinki and Osaka), has a degree from Michigan State in mechanical engineering.

Terek, who trained full-time in San Luis Obispo, Calif., cited knee and foot problems for his retirement. He and his wife Shilo are also expecting their first child early next year.

“I’m at a point where I’m happy with my career and to continue I’d be miserable without any sponsorships or the financial help,’’ Terek said. “I took a good look at the situation and it’s time to walk away now and not totally be depressed, especially when you’re not physically able to do it.’’

Terek’s expertise came in the pole vault where he still owns the MHSAA’s all-class record (16 feet, 6 inches) set in the 1997 Class A finals. His personal best vault was 18-8.5.

Terek was also a standout wide receiver and defensive back for the Patriots’ football team, but opted for track and field when he accepted a scholarship.

He went on to have a stellar career at MSU where he was named Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year and won six different conference titles while earning runner-up honors in the NCAA Division I indoor pole vault and outdoor decathlon events.

His personal best in the decathlon came at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento, Calif. where he scored 8,312 points and finished in third place to earn a spot in the Athens Games.

During his 12-year career, Terek also won three national indoor heptathlon titles and represented the U.S. in 18 different international competitions.

He underwent knee surgery prior to the 2008 U.S. Trials in Eugene, Ore., but pulled out just days before the meet because of injury.

“I was in great shape before I got hurt, but I couldn’t get back in 2008,’’ Terek said. “It’s seven years when you’re used to training the body a certain way. It started to wear. Both my foot and my hip were bothering me. In 2009 my knee was not 100 percent, it was really about 50 percent.’’

In 2006, Terek also became a TV celebrity in Japan when successfully participated in the syndicated U.S. show Ninja Warrior on the G4 network where he competed on the difficult Sasuke obstacle course.

Terek said he contemplated going into collegiate coaching following his decathlon career, but opted to start a job and raise a family.

“I still love track and field and love helping people figure out the pole vault,’’ said Terek, who currently resides in Grover Beach, Calif.