Injured in the Achilles tendon this winter, the French decathlete signs his return to the international scene this Saturday at the triathlon of the Meeting de Paris.
He is back, moreover in front of his public. At the Charléty stadium this Saturday, Kevin Mayer is lining up for a triathlon (110m hurdles; length and weight). On the Diamond League calendar, this Meeting in Paris is a perfect opportunity for the Drômois to reconnect with international competition and high level. No pressure for Mayer, who has only one goal in mind: the World Championships in Eugene (United States). “To be honest, I don’t have any goals here. Just participating is really good. I wanted at all costs to arrive in good health and in good shape at the Worlds, for the moment it has been successful. So if I have to take it easy this Saturday to keep my current form, I will do it”announced the Olympic vice-champion of Tokyo.
I arrive in Paris without having done a single hurdles session
Kevin Mayer
Because it is not for nothing that Kevin Mayer, who knows his body to perfection, has reservations about his performance in Paris. “I am 100% but there have been difficult times. I had to start running again only three weeks ago. I haven’t done a single hurdles session yet and tomorrow I’ll get to it, directly in the Diamond League… I’m not going to say that there’s no stress, it’s a Diamond League and there’s has the worlds in a week and a half. I’m in good shape so there’s nothing to ask questions about. Either way, it’s too late to do it “says the 30-year-old Frenchman. And to continue: “I hadn’t done hurdles for three months before the Tokyo Olympics because my back was blocked, and I didn’t tell anyone. Today I don’t care a bit (laughs). But if I thought it was a mistake, I wouldn’t be here. But if I feel any discomfort during the warm-up, I will not line up.
Need effervescence to shine
Kevin Mayer does not hide it, he needs to feel the energy of the public to transcend himself. Like 2019, when the Frenchman broke two of his personal bests on this famous Charléty triathlon (marks increased to 17.08 m in weight and 13”55 over 110 m hurdles). “Each time I came to Charléty, I beat two out of three personal bests. I look forward to this Meeting. I know it’s electric and that the public is there. We went from the Stade de France to Charléty, but that’s not to displease me. This stadium has a wonderful atmosphere, which I prefer to that of Saint-Denis. I’ve only been back to racing for three weeks so I’m not going to bet on my records, but I really want to surprise myself“said Kevin Mayer.
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A new environment to find other resources
At the end of May, Mayer announced his separation from his physical trainer and head coach Jérôme Simian. Since then, the decathlon world record holder has been working on a temporary basis with his childhood friend, Alexandre Bonacorsi. A name that will ultimately stick, Mayer having announced Friday at a press conference that he will continue the adventure with this entourage: “I was positively surprised. I found that he (Bonacorsi) reacted quite well to everything that was happening off the pitch and during competitions. Also, Bertrand Valcin will surely come back with me. Not as a coach (as it has been for 12 years) but to give his outside opinion which I need.”
We will probably have to wait a little longer to see Kevin Mayer triumph again. Although… In front of his audience, the child from Argenteuil is capable of anything, even surprising himself. Then maybe ? As the other would say. Anyway, even if he gives the impression, the decathlete never really “doesn’t care” when it comes to arriving first. Be careful all the same not to burn (yourself) in the furnace expected on the side of Charléty.
Mayer’s Program:
- Weight (18 h 30)
- Length (19 h 20)
- 110m hurdles (20 h 30)
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