“I am 99% sure not to go to Munich,” he said on his return from the United States on July 27. But the new decathlon world champion, Kevin Mayer, quickly changed his mind. He finally confirmed his participation in the European Championships, which will take place on August 15 and 16 in Germany. At a press conference, the Frenchman returned on Monday to the reasons for his surprising choice.
Why participate in the European Championships?
Kevin Mayer : The decathlon is a difficult sport, which requires a lot of recovery. I did not see myself at all following up on the European Championships. But from the second day (after the Worlds), I felt my legs pretty well, even if I was very tired. It’s rare that I come out so well physically (from a decathlon) without any particular tension. I said to myself: there are not many European Championships in the next few years. It is sure that to do the double would be incredible. But above all, I want to continue to have fun.
How are you going to manage the sequence?
I have never done that. Given the level there is in Europe at the moment, I don’t have a margin, but I can afford some counter performances, so I have my chances. I’m very relaxed, I can’t imagine that I’m going to do another decathlon, but that’s also what’s fun. There is not all this pressure that I usually have, to play all my year on a championship.
Do you have the risk of injury in mind?
We fear injury even when we do only one decathlon. From a physical point of view, I might not have the same juice as usual. But I am much more physically and technically prepared than at the World Championships. I have benchmarks, so I approach this decathlon with serenity. Afterwards, I venture a little into the unknown, I don’t know how my body will react, but I won’t take any risks, two years from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. I have a certain confidence in my body, I know what I can and cannot do. We will have to manage and not always give everything to go all the way.
You have never won at the European Championships, does that factor into your choice?
The European Championships have always been a springboard to better performances. I don’t see my story as being complicated with this competition. When you have global goals, it’s true that there isn’t a lot of room for the European Championships. A gold medal would make me happy, so I might as well give myself as many chances as possible. I have no big fears, I have already made a success of my season. It’s just a bonus and I don’t put any pressure on myself, even if I’m not the type to give 50% on the track. (…) All the lights are green, now you just have to rest.