Each day that passes brings us inexorably closer to July 26, 2024, the date of the opening ceremony of the Games in Paris. But if this date will mark the official start of the Olympic high mass, for the athletes, another date will prove to be at least as important. That of June 30, synonymous with the end of the qualification process in athletics. Or a possible ax for some who dream of experiencing their first Games or… of finally winning the gold that is missing from their record. As is the case for Kevin Mayer, double Olympic silver medalist in the decathlon in Rio in 2016 then Tokyo in 2021.
A real race against time has begun for the head of the gondola of French athletics, the one who has so often avoided zero medals in major international competitions in a discipline that has been in great difficulty in France for several years. A race against his body, too, for him who was forced to abandon the night of Thursday to Friday in San Diego, during an American university competition that he intended to use to achieve the Olympic minimums. Namely obtaining 8,460 points in total from the ten events. A formality for the world record holder with his 9,126 points obtained in 2018. If his body, therefore, stops tormenting him. In California, the “adductor major” on the right side, as he himself diagnosed it, betrayed him.
An injury which, at first glance, does not seem to be serious. According to his first impressions, Kevin Mayer estimated that a good ten days of rest should allow him to cure his illness. Enough to breathe a first sigh of relief because a more serious injury would have otherwise been difficult to manage in terms of timing. Another reason for consolation, the decathlete was forced to give up after having competed in only three events, and not eight or nine, which means that he did not strain too much physically for nothing in the end. A data which is not insignificant concerning an athlete who has not completed a decathlon since his world title in Eugene (United States) in July 2022. Moreover, it is for this reason that he finds himself in search of minimums, given that he is not classified in the world ranking list (you must have completed at least two complete decathlons in 18 months to appear there).
In San Diego, Kevin Mayer was also able to reassure himself about his level in the 100m, completed in a very correct time of 10”75, and especially in the shot put, with an excellent throw of 16.10m. Which very simply means that he has the level to a large extent. It remains to physically hold from 100 to 1,500 meters inclusive. Hotly, the double world champion did not wish to put forward a date for the next decathlon in which he could take part. There will be no shortage of opportunities to achieve this, including even if necessary at the very last moment during the French Championships organized in Angers from June 28 to 30. A prospect which is nothing new for him who had snatched his ticket for London in 2012 also a month before, while for Rio, it was at the end of May, therefore barely earlier.
In fact, beyond qualification, what is most worrying about the Frenchman lies on the one hand in this physical fragility accentuated by age – 32 years – and the repetition of efforts. And on the other hand in his ability to shine during the Games if, beforehand, he had to wear himself out chasing these minimums and this precious Olympic sesame. This is why he aimed to fold the matter this March 22 in San Diego to clear his mind and be master of the time between now and his entry into contention on August 2 at the Stade de France. There, even if there is no reason to worry about his qualification yet, he still finds himself having to manage pressure and a schedule that is not very positive. With this big gap which risks pulling him between his desire to get rid of these minimums as quickly as possible, and the need for him not to rush and to listen to his body, he who blamed himself for his “too much impatience” in San Diego after his abandonment.
Loving and passionate about his discipline like few athletes are, the Frenchman still too often makes the mistake of getting carried away too quickly. There, he has four months ahead of him to fulfill his dream of competing in the Games at home and winning the Grail. Every day will count from now on. He is fully aware of this and for that reason alone, there is no reason to worry or doubt. Afterwards, will he be 100% on D-Day in August? There will always be time to ask this question after he has passed the minimums…
