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Tokyo Olympics: Kevin Mayer between little hope and big suffering

2021-08-04T17:07:40.238Z


Barring a miracle, Kevin Mayer will not be Olympic champion in the decathlon. Fifth halfway through, handicapped by back pain, the medal


Every day comes its share of tears and distress.

After gymnast Samir Aït Saïd on Monday, pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie on Tuesday, it's Kevin Mayer's turn to take on the brave athlete's outfit, trying to push his limits and overcome pain.

For the past few days, the decathlete has suffered from his back.

Hating to take anti-inflammatory drugs "because it masks the pain, if you abuse them the body ends up saying stop", the French have embarked on a strange obstacle course.

If he manages to limit the damage over 100 m (10′'68) and over the length (7.50 m), the weight competition, where he excels compared to his usual competitors, turns into a cross (15.06 m while it generally exceeds 16 m).

“At the last throw, I saw stars, I felt a great discharge.

"

A few minutes later, Mayer, who was then 304 points behind the Canadian, Damian Warner was on the verge of tears.

"

These are not tears of sadness at all, they are tears of frustration

.

The date of my life is completely ruined, ”he blurted out, revealing that he had blocked his back a week earlier when he arrived in Tokyo.

"It's been a long time it had not happened to me ... I

'

have a radiation down the back that makes it hard ... There is very little fun, few sensations.

"

Read alsoJO Tokyo: Kevin Mayer, ten shades of suffering to reach the perfect decathlon

Barring a miracle, the Olympic title has already flown away. “I think I can go get a medal even like that,” he announces before the midday break. A few hours later, he is transformed at the height (2.08 m). “I did massages to relax the lower back and above all, I cut down on the anti-inflammatory card, the one I play very rarely, it was either that or I stopped. The result was more pain and I was able to free myself as I haven't for a very long time. "

Mayer collects points, we think he was raised and patatras on 400 m (50′'31, far from his personal best at 48′'26).

The reason ?

Cramp.

“The length contest went on for a really long time.

From the start I immediately feel a cramp, I did not dare to leave quickly, it's a shame because the points gained at the height, I lose them over 400 m.

"No need to hide the face so, barring a miracle, Kevin Mayer will not be Olympic champion this Thursday.

See you tomorrow 👊🏼



📸 @stadion_actu pic.twitter.com/cqSwIBQPLa

- Kevin MAYER (@mayer_deca) August 4, 2021

His rival, Damian Warner, leader at the halfway point, has 384 points and is ahead of the base by 8,800 points, while the Frenchman, 5th, far from his world record (9,126 points). “I know that with anti-inflammatory drugs, I won't be in pain anymore, anything is possible, I have a very busy day. I must manage to optimize my events, as I managed to optimize the height. The settings are not at the top, but I have a lot of confidence in myself to face the rest without being afraid. "

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2021-08-04

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