SACREMENTO, Calif.   – Defending Olympic decathlon champion Dan O'Brien on Tuesday announced that he will not compete in the Olympic Trials. Suffering from a 60 percent tear of his plantar fascia in the bottom his foot, O'Brien described the likelihood that he will not compete in the decathlon, which begins at Hornet Stadium on Thursday, as "98 to 99 percent."

O'Brien appeared at a press conference Tuesday, along with two-time defending U.S. champion Chris Huffins, the World Championships bronze medalist. Below are excerpts from the press conference.

For biographical information on O'Brien and Huffins, visit the USATF Web site: http://www.usatf.org.

Dan O'Brien/Chris Huffins News Conference
July 18, 2000, Tahoe Room, Hilton Inn Sacramento

Dan: "Wednesday (July 12th) late afternoon I was at Washington State University. My plan was to train Monday through Friday and then a little bit of light training on Saturday. On Wednesday, I had just run a couple of flights of high hurdles and I felt very good. I went over to the high jump and took four or five jumps. And, on probably my fifth or sixth jump, I felt a pop in the middle of my left arch, which is my takeoff leg. I immediately put my flats on, went into the training room and was told I had a strain of my plantar fascia. I didn't walk on it that evening and had to use crutches the following morning. On Friday morning I got an MRI and just moments after I got the MRI a radiologist and a doctor informed me I had a 60 percent tear of my plantar on my left foot. A lot of the swelling had gone down in the first 48 hours and I felt all right. But, I still didn't move very well. Because of that tear in my arch I don't foresee any way I can participate Thursday at four o'clock in the afternoon. It hurts too much even to jog at this point. A couple of times I thought 'The hell with it; just go for.' But, I can't take three or four steps without having to stop. It's that painful. I don't know whether to laugh or cry - it's that strange."

Chris: "Physically and mentally I've been prepared for a long time for this day where I felt like I was at my best and the only decathlete on the planet I've never beaten was at his best and we would go at it. Mixed emotions don't even explain what I feel right now.

As far as the Trials are concerned obviously I have a job to do. This doesn't change what I have to do. Nobody's going to give me a spot on the team. I hate injuries to befall anyone, especially someone who's had such a great career as Dan. And, I'm not writing him off - I'm speaking of his career thus far. I heard it this morning and didn't believe it. Injuries are part of the game. It's just a shame when they come at this stage of the game. I'm more shocked than anything. I probably feel like the pole vaulters did when Jeff Hartwig no-heighted. You don't know what to say or think. It's a big shock and an incredible disappointment."

Dan: "I've been in a daze since it happened. I go through these stages of depression. Coach (Rick) Sloan, my parents, and everybody in my camp are just in shock. This hurts worse than what happened in '92 because we didn't get a chance.

I'm in very good shape - I wasn't in my top shape. I've been in better 400-meter shape. But I think my field events were going to be very strong. I'm not going to officially withdraw until the last opportunity in case my prayers are answered and a miracle happens. But, I'm 98-99 percent sure I won't be able to compete. I looked at this competition as I did in 1993 when I had a groin injury and had to grind it out. But, I can't even grind it out. I can't even run at half-speed. I've talked to a number of foot specialists who say they've never seen a plantar tear get well in ten days.

I'm not finished. I'm gonna stick around. There's no doubt about it. I have to go about it from here on out as if I'm starting over. I still want to challenge 9,000 points."

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