The Olympic hopes of Kevin Mayer of France, the reigning Olympic silver medallist within the decathlon, are unsure after he sustained a knee damage in the course of the Aztec Worldwide in San Diego on Thursday. The 2-time world champion withdrew from the decathlon competitors after 4 occasions, elevating doubts about his capability to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Competing on the Aztec Invitational observe meet in San Diego, Mayer was aiming to attain the decathlon Olympic normal of 8,460 factors, a mark he has but to achieve inside the qualifying window.
Pas d’inquiétude, on se revoit rapidement sur la piste 💪🏼
Merci pour vos messages 🤍 pic.twitter.com/N4bGHIw3F2
— Kevin MAYER (@mayer_deca) March 22, 2024
The 32-year-old has been plagued with damage and has not accomplished a decathlon since successful his second world title on the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. Whereas he tried to compete eventually yr’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest, he was compelled to withdraw after the second occasion, on account of ache in his left Achilles tendon. Mayer advised French media on the time that his major aim was to regain full well being and redirect his focus to the 2024 Olympics, to be held in his hometown.
For the previous decade, Mayer has been a formidable rival of Canada’s Damian Warner; they’re two of the most effective decathletes of this era. Mayer boasts world indoor and outside titles, together with the decathlon world report of 9,126 factors, but Olympic gold is the one factor he has not completed. Mayer has gained two Olympic silver medals, ending behind Warner at Tokyo 2020 and behind American Ashton Eaton at Rio 2016.
Whereas the severity of Mayer’s damage is unknown, the world report holder reassured his followers on social media, stressing his dedication to return to the observe quickly. Time is working out; the deadline to earn Olympic qualification is June 30. As one of many golden hopefuls for Group France in Paris, Mayer’s consideration shifts to getting wholesome for the Götzis Hypo-Assembly, a large annual meet for decathletes, on Might 18 and 19, the place he might want to meet the usual.
