Kevin Mayer on track for Olympic qualification after three decathlon events, despite twisted left knee

The Frenchman began his Olympic qualifying decathlon on Thursday in San Diego (United States), upset by a slight twist in one knee during the long jump warm-up.

Kevin Mayer, headliner of French athletics, double Olympic vice-champion, hopes to validate his qualification for the Paris Games (from July 26 to August 11) under the Californian sun, after having abandoned the World Championships in Budapest. last summer. In the almost empty stadium of the “Aztecs” at the University of San Diego, and after three events, the 32-year-old Frenchman totaled 2,604 points, far from the bases of his world record (9,126 points in 2018), but well on the mark. path to the Olympic minimums (8,460).

He first completed his 100 meters in 10″75, a reasonable distance from his record (10″50). The 2022 world champion then grimaced while preparing for the long jump. On his only warm-up jump, he lost one of the spikes located under his shoes during his run-up, causing him to suffer from poor support for a slight twist in his left knee.

Mayer competed well in the second event, among his competitors, university athletes. He jumped at 7.07 m (0.3 m/s wind) on the first attempt, before aborting the second and biting the third, making him cry out in frustration at a competition far from his standards (record at 7.80 m). A first howl of relief arrived during his second attempt at the weight, dispatched to 16.10 m, his best throw in three years.

The high jump and 400 meter events will conclude the first day of competition on the night of Thursday to Friday, before those of the 110 meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1500 meters, Friday at the end of the day (French times).