“At some point you have to admit defeat”, concedes Kévin Mayer who explains his abandonment of the decathlon

At the end of its limits. Affected in the left Achilles tendon, Kévin Mayer tried to retain his title of world champion before finally giving up on Friday August 25, so as not to aggravate his injury. The 31-year-old athlete competed in the 100m, then the long jump before “admit defeat”. The Francilien had warned, Tuesday August 22, that he was not sure of being able to compete, “I said 50/50 but it was more like a 10% chance of finishing”. A true lover of the decathlon, he wanted to try his luck but finally thanked his medical staff and that of the federation for having supported and accompanied him in his preparation, despite the injury and the very likely abandonment.

The world record holder (9126 points) remained optimistic despite disappointment and fatigue: “With the decathlon we live incredible moments, by incredible sometimes it’s positive sometimes it’s negative.” Kévin Mayer gives us an appointment next year where he will give everything “to be superman”. He will first have to complete a full decathlon before June 30, 2024 if he wants to participate in the Olympics.