Where is Kevin Mayer ? His trainer Alexandre Bonacorsi lifts part of the veil

Alexandre Bonacorsi et Kevin Mayer ne sont pas stressés à l’idée d’aller chercher les minima en mars à San Diego. MAXPPP – STADION-ACTU

After an internship in Australia at the end of 2023, the decathlon world record holder is working hard in Montpellier to be ready at the end of March. And qualified for the Olympics.

Alexandre Bonacorsi has returned to the blue track at the Stade Philippidès in Montpellier and is no worse off. Kevin Mayer’s coach enjoys traveling and training abroad, but also knows how to recognize the chance of having the best possible facilities at home. "We're good at home when we've been away for a long time…", admits the person concerned.

Also read:Paris 2024 Olympics: hit in the hip, Kevin Mayer prefers to throw in the towel and will not participate in the Brisbane decathlon

And six months before the Olympic Games, time is running out. No more wasting a minute on planes or hotel rooms. The decathlon world record holder is still not qualified for Paris 2024. The first attempt against the minimums having failed last December in Australia – the fault of a painful hip –, the Montpellier resident will try his luck again on March 21 and 22 near San Diego (California).

The lights are green

Until then, it's work, sleep, work, sleep… "It's training hard, recognizes the technician while saluting the work carried out by his foal at the end of 2023 in Melbourne. It was cool, he just missed the icing on the cake." And a couple of work sessions to tempt the devil.

"Today, Kevin feels good, confirms Alexandre Bonacorsi. I feel it well. All the lights are green." Barring a last minute disaster, the double Olympic vice-champion should gain momentum until the departure for the United States planned for the beginning of March, just to digest the jetlag and get a little juice.

"Afterwards, you must not make the wrong objective. We're not going to San Diego to score 9,000 points." 8,464 will be enough at this university meeting where some big names in the discipline are expected.

"Send a message" to the competition

The coach says he is confident as ever and highlights Kevin Mayer's appetite. "If he can perform big and send a message (to the competition), he won't be shy not either."

At this point, no one is thinking. That's not the type of house. "There is no stress of qualification. For us, this is not a subject even if since January 1st we are finally in 2024, relishes Alexandre Bonacorsi. The year in which everything the world has been talking to us for a while."

Also read: World Athletics Championships: "I enjoy my life with Kevin", Alexandre Bonacorsi, Mayer's coach, opens up

The Hérault coach exudes serenity. The Tokyo experience surely. "I started my work as a coach at the Olympics in 2021. There was pressure and a lot of emotion. From now on, there is only fun and a very good atmosphere in the group."

As in Brisbane, Kevin Mayer will be accompanied to San Diego by his close guard: Alexandre the blessed, Delphine Jariel, his partner and physiotherapist, and Thomas, his brother and handyman of the gang.

Also read: "Save Kevin Mayer" : how his partner and physiotherapist hopes to allow him to participate in the decathlon of the World Athletics Championships

Romain Barras, boss of the French teams, will perhaps be on the trip too.
Last December, the former European decaf champion said he was ready to accompany Kevin Mayer “down ​​under”.

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