Cedric Dubler almost kills cameraman during Olympic Decathlon debut

HE’S just completed a gruelling 10-stage event at the Rio Olympics. But it is his javelin throw that everyone will remember.

NOT only did Brisbane’s Cedric Dubler tackle the men’s 10-event decathlon at the Olympic Games in Rio and place 14th overall, he got two personal bests, was tweeting up a storm — and he nearly killed a cameraman.

How is that for a memorable Olympic debut?!

The 21-year-old Aspley Little Athletics product, Australia’s first Olympic decathlete since Scott Ferrier in Sydney, nearly took out a cameraman during the javelin this morning after a wonky release — it went sideways instead of straight — and he had to apologise for the faux pas.

“Almost killed a cameraman. How embarrassing,” he wrote on Twitter.

Almost killed a cameraman. How embarrassing... https://t.co/beaub04d7W

— Cedric Dubler (@CedricDubler) August 18, 2016

The first event for Dubler in Rio was the 100m; he placed 15th with a time of 10.86 seconds and followed that up with 11th in the long jump with a jump of 7.47m.

The young gun said his start to competition did not go to plan, saying he “stumbled a bit” in the 100m and “couldn’t produce the run I was hoping”.

Cedric Dubler apologises to a cameraman he almost hit with the javelin in the Men's decathlon during the Athletics on Day 13 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Picture.

After the long jump Dubler, who has been coached by Brisbane-based Eric Brown for six years, said he was “not up where I wanted to be”.

Next up he placed 30th in the shot put with a throw of 11.49m, 3rd in the high jump with a second-best personal jump of 2.13m, and ran a personal best of 48.18 seconds in the “dreaded” 400m.

Decent 51.82m opening throw but didn't improve. Almost hit a cameraman on my 2nd attempt... https://t.co/sld6sxskCh pic.twitter.com/PZ7ttc3Blt

— Cedric Dubler (@CedricDubler) August 19, 2016

“11.49 in Shot Put. Couldn’t put a throw together,” Dubler wrote on Twitter.

But after taking a nap, he was “very happy” with his high jump effort and stoked to finish his first day of competition with a personal best in the 400m.

“I felt like I ran the race perfectly,” Dubler said.

Australia's Cedric Dubler prepares for his last Javelin Throw in the Men's Decathlon during day 13 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Picture: Brett Costello

Australian super star Sally Pearson congratulated Dubler for his efforts.

“Well done @CedricDubler for your 400m pb in #decathlon onto day two! @AUSOlympicTeam #oneteam.” Pearson wrote on Twitter.

Dubler finished his first day in 12th place with 4219 points, with five events to go.

On day two for Dubler, he came in 8th in the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.3 seconds, and placed 23rd in the discus with a throw of 38.89m.

“Very relieved that the 110m hurdles is over and done with! Second fastest time of 14.30 sec!” Dubler wrote on Twitter.

Woops: Cedric Dubler after just missing a cameraman with his javelin.

“Not the throw I would have ideally liked but not a mark I’m super disappointed with, 38.89m.”

Lastly Dubler came in 10th in the pole vault with an equal personal best jump of 4.9m, 22nd in the javelin with a throw of 51.82m and 11th in the 1500m with a time of 4:32.12.

“Ran out of energy at 5m. I’ll get it ... one day!” Dubler said about his pole vault result.

The Brisbane State High graduate, who wanted to finish in the top eight in Rio, placed 14th overall with 8024 points.

Dubler booked his ticket to Brazil with a personal-best performance at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney. He snuck past the minimum qualifying score of 8100 by just 14 points, capping a stunning rise to stardom after he was plagued by injury throughout the 2015 season.

Originally published as Cedric Dubler almost kills cameraman during Olympic Decathlon debut