Kevin Mayer has once again proven his athletic prowess by securing a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a remarkable score of 8476 points in the decathlon. This achievement, coming after his world championship titles in 2017 and 2022, not only meets but slightly exceeds the Olympic minimum requirement of 8460 points. The journey, however, was fraught with challenges. Mayer, who already holds two silver Olympic medals, is now setting his sights on the gold at his home Olympics this summer.
The competition began on a high note for Mayer, who posted commendable results across the initial events on Monday: 10''72 in the 100 meters, 7.37 meters in the long jump, 15.31 meters in the shot put, 1.96 meters in the high jump, and 49''73 in the 400 meters. These performances kept him on track towards his 8460-point goal. However, Tuesday brought new hurdles. Mayer's 14''29 in the 110 meter hurdles was below his usual standard, yet it still garnered him valuable points. A throw of 48.53 meters in the discus further solidified his standing.
The defining moment came during the pole vault. Facing immense pressure after failing his first two attempts at 5.00 meters, Mayer managed to clear the bar on his final try, showcasing his resilience and skill. He subsequently bypassed 5.10 meters and succeeded in clearing both 5.20 meters and 5.30 meters on his first attempts—a display of true mastery. With confidence restored, Mayer excelled in the javelin throw with a 69.54-meter throw on his first attempt.
The final event, the 1500 meters, saw Mayer finishing strong, although he placed fifth in the decathlon. What mattered most was his qualification for the Olympics. Joining Mayer in success, French compatriot Makenson Gletty claimed the bronze, bringing France its 12th medal at these European Championships. The event concluded with Johannes Erm of Estonia winning the gold and Norway's Sander Skotheim earning the silver. Mayer's qualification for Paris 2024 adds to his distinguished career and fuels his pursuit of an Olympic gold medal.
- Kevin Mayer's performance starts on a strong note with high scores in the initial five events of the decathlon. By the end of the first day, he had amassed 4230 points, positioning him perfectly for meeting the Olympic minimums the next day.
- While Mayer led a remarkable competition, his fellow Frenchman Makenson Gletty also made significant strides, securing third place in the general classification mid-way through the decathlon. Gletty's performance maintained the French presence in the top rankings of this European Championship event.
