Decathlon
multi-event olympic sport game for Commodore 64, 1984
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Use Control Port 1.
[ 1.0 ] General Description
"If it's just a game, why am I so out of breath?"
Because of ten very physical events. And two on-screen contestants who
will bend your biceps and trigger your adrenaline. When the
competition begins, you'll see.
And feel.
[ 2.0 ] How to Play
Basics
How to Start
Press 1, 2, 3, or 4 for the number of players. In multi-player mode,
the first and third decathletes compete against the computer. Single
players always compete against the computer.
Press S or A for Single Event or All Events
In Single Event press 1 - 0 to pick your event. Press F7 to return to
menu.
In All Events press the joystick button to advance to the next event
once the current event ends.
Single Event Play
If S is selected, a menu appears. Press the keyboard number
corresponding to the event in which you wish to compete.
After completing an event, press the joystick button to repeat that
event, or F7 to return to the menu.
All Event Play
If A is selected, press the joystick button to advance to next event
once current event ends.
To return to initial selection screen, select Restart Game from the
File menu.
Special Highlights
Strength Bar -- Registers your relative running or approach speed
throughout each event. The faster you move, the closer the bar moves
to the right-hand limit.
Real-Time Clock -- Counts the minutes, seconds, and fractions of
seconds during all races.
Scratch Line -- Don't cross the scratch line before pressing the
joystick button for appropriate events. (See "Events", below)
Distance Measure -- Distance is measured on-screen in meters for
appropriate events.
Current Contestant -- The number 1, 2, 3, or 4 appears directly next
to the strength bars to remind contestants which decathlete is
competing.
Events
100 - Meter Dash -- One opportunity. The quicker your time, the higher
your points.
Long Jump -- Three attempts allowed. Begin with a 30-meter running
start, then press the joystick button just before you reach the
scratch line.
Shotput -- Three attempts allowed. Move as quickly as you can to the
scratch line, then press the joystick button.
High Jump -- Allowed a maximum of three attempts at each height. Run
the 30-meter approach, then press the joystick button to jump.
Successfully "clear" a height and the crossbar raises.
400-Meter Race -- One opportunity. A middle-distance race.
110-Meter Hurdles -- The hurdles are at 10-meter intervals. You won't
be disqualified for "spilling" a hurdle, but it will slow you down.
Press the joystick button to jump the hurdle.
Discus -- Three attempts allowed. Approach the scratch line as quickly
as possible, then press the joystick button.
Pole Vault -- Allowed a maximum of three attempts at each height. Run
to the vault pit and plant your pole by pressing the joystick button.
Continue to move the joystick as you vault, and, at the peak, press
the joystick button again to release the pole. Successfully clear a
height and the crossbar raises.
Javelin -- Three attempts allowed. Run to the scratch line, then press
the joystick button.
1500 - Meter Race -- One chance in this final event. Pace yourself,
then, give it your all!
Current World Records
See how you compare to these world records. (As of 8/9/95)
Men's Decathlon
Event Record Holder Year
100-Meter Dash 9.85 Sec Leroy Burrell 1994
Long Jump 8.95 m Mike Powell 1991
Shotput 23.12 m Randy Bames 1990
High Jump 2.45 m Javier Sotomayor 1993
400-Meter Race 43.29 Sec Butch Reynolds 1988
110-Meter Hurdles 12.91 Sec Colin Jackson 1993
Discus 74.07 m Jurgen Schult 1986
Pole Vault 6.14 m Sergel Bubka 1994
Javelin 95.66 m Jan Zelezny 1993
1500-Meter Race 3:27.37 Noureddine Morcell 1995
Overall Points: 8,891 Dan O'Brien 1992
Women's Heptathlon
Women compete in a 7-event Heptathlon, rather then the 10-event men's
decathlon. A 200-meter race is run instead of the 100-meter dash, a
100-meter hurdles is run in lieu of the 110-meter hurdles, and an 80
-meter race is run instead of the 1,500-meter race. Also, the women do
not compete in the pole vault, javelin, or run the 400-meter race.
Event Record Holder Year
200-Meter Dash 21.34 Sec Florence Griffith Joyner 1988
Long Jump 7.52 m Galina Chistyakova 1988
Shotput 22.63 m Natalya Lisovskaya 1987
High Jump 2.09 m Stefka Kostadinova 1987
100-Meter Hurdles 12.21 Sec Yordanka Donkova 1988
Discus 76.81 m Gabriele Reinsch 1988
800-Meter Race 1:53.28 Jamila Kratochvilova 1983
Overall Points: 7,291 Jackie Joyner-Kersee 1988
Keyboard
Function Key Description F7 Return to menu during Single Event Play
- The numeric keys 1 through 0 are used to select the number of
players and specify which single event to play.
- The A and S keys are used to select All Events or Single Event.
Joystick
Rapidly move joystick to the left and right to run or approach the
scratch line. Press the joystick button to jump or throw. See Events
for more information on how to play each event.
[ 3.0 ] Scoring
Earn points for each event. Screen displays event score following each
attempt, and total score after each event. Score 1,000 points during
any attempt, and a musical tribute will be your reward. Only the
highest event score is added to your total.
[ 4.0 ] Hints
You might try holding the joystick differently to see which way is the
easiest for you to get speed and power.
In the long jump, shot put, javelin, and discus events, try to get a
good first score, then really push yourself on the next two attempts.
Since you already have a score, there is no chance of scoring zero
points.
In the 1500-meter race, you do not need to run at top speed for the
first 1300 meters. Pace yourself and only move the joystick or tap the
keyboard as fast as necessary to keep yourself at the top speed
allowed for that part of the race.
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Some useful keyboard shortcuts
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[PAUSE] - stop/continue game
[F9] - quick load game state
[F12] - quick save game state (still stored after leaving the site)
[F10] - toggle performance meter
[F11] - toggle fullscreen mode
[ScrollLock] - quick switch control ports
[PageDown] - make a screenshot (320x200)