The Frenchman has not yet obtained the minimum requirements to participate in the next Paris Olympics.
If he is announced as one of the main favorites to win a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic GamesKevin Mayer must first qualify for the decathlon of the Olympic Games which will take place on August 2 and 3 at the Stade de France.
Forfeited at the start of the year in Australia when he was supposed to attempt the minimums, it is in almost complete anonymity that the world champion will attempt to achieve them during the Aztec Invitational decathlon, a meeting which takes place Thursday March 21 and Friday March 22 in San Diego, California.
To achieve this, the athlete must achieve at least 8,460 points, according to the minimums set by World Athletics. If this seems to be a formality for the one who holds the record with 9,126 points, Kévin Mayer has not completed a single decathlon since his second world title, acquired in July 2022 in Eugene (Oregon, United States). Nothing to worry about his trainer, “en this Olympic year, Kevin is different, I find him much more serene than in previous years. He can look back more easily on his genes. He has the right approach (…) Kevin is confident, he has completed several months of training without any major brakes, without any physical problems.” explains Alexandre Bonacorsi.
In the event of failure in the United States, Kévin Mayer will still have several possibilities to qualify and could even benefit from qualification with his world ranking. “He there will be plans B, C, D, E, F if necessary, until June 30. In Kevin’s head, whether to qualify for the French championships [les 29 et 30 juin] to be serene with his body, he will be able to do so.”
The timetables and program for Kévin Mayer’s decathlon
Thursday March 21, 2024
- 6:30 p.m.: 100m
- 7:15 p.m.: long jump
- 9:15 p.m.: shot put
- 11:15 p.m.: high jump
- 1:15:400m
Friday March 22, 2024
- 5 p.m.: 110 m hurdles
- 5:40 p.m.: discus throw
- 9:35 p.m.: pole vault
- 9:15 p.m.: javelin throw
- 10:30 p.m.: 1,500 m