KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tom Pappas, a three-time USA Olympian in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic games, said Knoxville helped him become one of the best athletes in the world.
Pappas competed in the decathlon, a series of ten track and field events spread out over two days. He trained at the University of Tennessee for the 2004 and 2008 summer games after he graduated.
"Who would not want to stay in Knoxville?" Pappas said. "Those facilities and the coaching staff and all the resources that I had available to me was top notch."
The decathlon includes a 100-meter race, long jump, shot put, high jump and another 400-meter race on the first day. Then on the second day, 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and then a 1,500-meter race.
"I'm a competitive person and I like seeing how good you can get in ten different disciplines in ten different events," Pappas said.
Pappas competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where he placed fifth for Team USA.
Pappas, of Greek descent, was a fan favorite to win in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
"The media seemed to take that and run with it," Pappas said. "I just remember always hearing a billion people watched the opening ceremonies. To think about this small southern Oregon kid about to walk in front of them, in that stadium."
But Pappas said some of his most memorable moments from Athens, were some of the most disappointing. Pappas didn't finish after a foot injury.
"That's kind of been my roller coaster," he said. "I was healthy. I did well, and I don't regret anything that happened in my training or anything like that."
After another chance in Beijing four years later, Pappas sustained the same injury, this time to the other foot.
"Being underneath the stadium, you're so quiet," he said. "You're reflecting on what just happened, and then all of the sudden, you hear the roar of 100,000 people just go nuts in the stadium. And you're like, 'I should be out there.'"
Pappas has several other titles to his name, including winning both the Indoor and Outdoor World Championships and five USA Outdoor Championships.
Despite missing the podium for the Olympics, Pappas said he doesn't have any regrets. After all, he's an athlete at heart.
"I miss the butterflies," Pappas said. "I miss that feeling of training for four years for one meet with everything on the line."
He now lives with his family in Eugene, Oregon. Tom and his brother opened their own CrossFit gym.
"It filled that competitive void," Pappas said. "I was really competitive in that for a while. All I've ever known is competition. It was a way for me to still get excited and have those butterflies and have a goal."