WICHITA, Kansas, July 14, 2008 -- In a sport where every second counts, Tom Pappas’ time is running out.

"The two previous olympic teams, I didn't do that well,” he said.  “So this is my last shot to get a medal."

At age 31, he's twice competed on the sport's biggest stage.  He was fifth in the 2000 games.  Three years later, he was the world outdoor champion, making him the gold medal favorite heading to Athens  But the oregon-native never saw the medal stand.

"My foot started bothering me the second day and I ruptured my plantar fascia in my first attempt in the pole vault.  I was done after that.  It was pretty devastating and took a long time to get over,” he said.

It's made for four very long years since, but with a third place finish at the Olympic trials, he ensured a trip to Beijing and a chance to represent America for a third time.

"I'm not celebrating yet,” he said.  “I'm excited I made the team, but on the other hand I still have a lot of work left... and a lot to prove."

So he trains, often hours at a time at the R. V. Christian Track Complex in Manhattan.  He has one goal left and one chance to reach it, so he's putting in the time to make it possible.

“Gold would be nice, but if I'm just one of those top three spots to stand on the podium…it's something I've envisioned in my head for a lot of years and it would mean a lot."

Pappas leaves for Beijing on august fourth, with the decathlon starting on the 21st.