As the reigning world champion in the decathlon, Trey Hardee should figure as the big favorite at the London Olympics.

He would be if it weren’t for a pinkish, 5-inch scar that curves around his right elbow.

Hardee had reconstructive surgery last September to repair a ligament he blew out while throwing the javelin at the World Championships last summer. The injury occurred on his final throw, a personal best that locked up his second straight world decathlon title.