Suspense guaranteed on the side of the decathlon.
Kevin Mayer gets even closer to the podium.
After eight events, the decathlete remains 4th at the foot of the podium (7,219 points) but is only 46 points from third place.
Admittedly, the Frenchman could have done better this morning, in the discus or in the 110 m hurdles, but the essential is ensured by gluing back to the podium before the last two events, the javelin and the 1,500 m.
After a day and a half of suffering, Mayer reached the goal, in particular thanks to his 5.20 m in the pole.
🇫🇷 Kevin Mayer is reassured on the pole vault with a bar at 5.20 m.
The Frenchman is still 4th but is behind the Canadian Pierce Lepage, 3rd (46 points away) #JeuxOlympiques # Tokyo2020
▶ ️ Follow the Olympics live: https://t.co/M1abuDLxkD pic.twitter.com/Q5BLbpGUYG
- francetvsport (@francetvsport) August 5, 2021
Injured in the back, the three-colored athlete cannot yet express himself freely despite taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
“I would say I'm 90% or 95% of what I do in training.
I accepted the fact that I had a stewed back.
I accepted my level today.
I am much happier like that, especially since I can go get a medal, ”recalled the Olympic vice-champion in Rio, after his tears the day before.
140 points from Ashley Moloney's provisional silver medal, the Frenchman continues to aim for the highest possible place on the podium: “Today the silver medal is quite possible.
I am already Olympic vice-champion.
I must have thought of gold.
I know I had the level to compete against Damian Warner.
But hey, I take what I have.
"
The javelin to hang on the podium
This Thursday, the Frenchman did not fully take the hoped-for start. With a 110m hurdles in 13''90, far from his record in 13''54, the decathlete followed with a discus throw of the same ilk in 48.08 m (record at 52.38 m). It's a little better for the perch. Kevin Mayer passed 5.20m unlike his two podium competitors who stopped at 5m. 72 points recovered from this last event and the medal is now in the sights of the world record holder in the decathlon. In front, Damian Warner takes the lead with 7,490 points.
Next event, head for the javelin throw for the tricolor world champion in 2017. A discipline that could allow him to temporarily reposition himself on the decathlon podium in Tokyo: “The javelin, I know I can have fun. This decathlon is a real fight but I'm sure I'll come out alive. »Meet at 1:20 pm to hang the medal a little more around your neck.
