Six down, four to go

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BEIJING -- As the decathlon moved into its second day, Bryan Clay of Glendora moved closer to the storied title of ‘greatest athlete in the world,’’ which the King of Sweden used to describe Jim Thorpe after his performance in the 10-discipline event at the 1912 Olympics.

Clay was second among the 30 remaining athletes in the Friday hurdles, increasing his lead over Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus to 124 points with four events to go.

Thursday, he offset a poor high jump effort by leading three other events: 100 meters, long jump and shotput, recording a personal best in the shot.

‘I had three very, very good events,’’ Clay said. ‘Then I had a poor high jump. Then just an OK event in the 400, nothing special in the 400, but it was OK. I think it’ll be enough.’’

Defending champion Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, who also won silver in 2000, finished the first day in tears as his crown slipped away.