The 1996 Olympic bronze medallist posted a points total of 8,994, eclipsing the previous mark of 8,891 set by America's reigning Olympic champion Dan O'Brien in 1992 in the French town of Talence.

Despite suffocating heat Dvorak, 27, just failed to become the first man to pass the mythical figure of 9,000 points in front of his ecstatic home supporters -- if his time in the closing 1500m discipline had been 0.086 faster he would have reached that landmark.

Dvorak, who broke the record in front of just 2,000 people, said: ``I now know I am capable of breaching the 9,000-point barrier. I really believe it. And why not do it at the Seville World Championships when it would earn 100,000 dollars.''

He beat his own personal best by 157 points and his performance here included no less than five personal bests-- the 100m, long jump, shot put, discus and javelin.