“I know I'm still very strong”: Kevin Mayer, deprived of the Olympic Games, hopes to compete in the Tokyo World Championships in September 2025

Kevin Mayer poursuit sa rééducation sur la piste du stade Philippidès. MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH

Absent from the Olympic Games due to an injury, the Montpellier native is gradually recovering. At 32, retirement time has not yet come.

How are you?

I'm doing really well. I didn't stop much (after his withdrawal from the Olympics), barely ten days. I resumed rehabilitation which was very well advanced. I have a phenomenal capacity for work. It improved very quickly. Which allowed me to do sport and enjoy my holidays.

Would you say you're in great shape?

No. It's still a big injury (torn left hamstring tendon). I haven't had another scan since the Games. I haven't sprinted. I'm taking it easy. I have time but for now all the tests are positive.

We left you on August 1st after the announcement of your withdrawal. What happened in the following days??

I had two choices: either I left and put a veil between the Games and me and tried to clear my head, or I accepted my disappointment and tried to experience these Olympic Games as best I could. That's the choice I made. I had rented an apartment until August 8, so I stayed in Paris until the 8th. I put my athlete ego aside to bring out the fan in me.

Have you ever been envious, or even jealous, of the spectacle, the result of the Blues??

I've experienced some strange emotions. But I'm passionate about sports. When my ego gets into trouble, I manage to control it. Passion always takes over.

Of all the events you have attended, which one left the biggest impression on you?

The volleyball players' victory. I spent my entire youth with half of these guys at the Creps in Montpellier. I “party” with them on the night of the final.

Looking back, would you do things the same way again?

With “ifs” we could do all my seasons again. I was told a lot about the 110m hurdles at the Paris meeting (on July 7, the day he was injured). If I had felt the slightest thing, I wouldn't have run. But I didn't feel anything. Sometimes, certain things happen, we don't know why. You have to know how to use it for the future.

Have you considered changing the way you train, the composition of your team?

No, not at all. When something doesn't work, you shouldn't question what has worked for years.

What do you say to those who say you listen to your body too much?

Have a tendon burst during a 110m hurdles and you'll see. Listen to the sound of that tendon bursting. All decathletes understand me, respect me.

“I need to fix this left leg problem”

Do you feel like you're not respected?

I don't care. The general public doesn't understand me. It's so easy to come out with words here and there, without any thought. If they don't want to make an effort… I don't live with these people.

How do you see the rest of your career? How far do you see yourself?

Before it all went down, I was in great shape. With the adrenaline, in Paris, it would have been very strong at the Games. I know I'm still very strong. I have to fix the problem with this left leg. For now, I can't see any further than that.

Ready for the Mayer experience

Before flying to Mexico, Kevin Mayer will be in La Roche de Glun, in the Drôme, on Saturday for the “Mayer experience”. Since 2018, the decathlon world record holder has brought together young and old – “from 7 to 77 years old” – to introduce his discipline to the general public.

“It's something I love to do, admits the Montpellier native.And I think people appreciate it. I have evolved a lot as an athlete but also as a man thanks to the decathlon, I want to transmit all these values."

Kevin Mayer does not see himself coaching at the end of his career. "I don't know if I would have the patience. I have fundamentals in my head and work is part of it. Not everyone could follow my vision of things. Afterwards, if there are some who want to try… On the other hand, I would like to act with a bigger impact. Create an academy maybe… What interests me is that as many young people as possible feel good about themselves through sport."

Los Angeles 2028 ?

Will I continue until the Los Angeles Games ? If my body allows me, of course. I live my passion every day and I don't see the time go by when I practice. I don't see the point in stopping now. I repeat, I just have to solve the problem that prevents me from expressing myself the way I want every year.

What is your short-term plan??

In my head, I'm still on vacation. I'm going to Mexico soon while continuing my rehabilitation. The idea is to start again in November-December. I want to be in Tokyo (World Championships from September 13 to 21, 2025).