“This J-500 reminds me that the 2024 Olympics are getting closer, that the desire is growing”
Kevin Mayer, European indoor heptathlon champion, in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 5. Laurent Lairys/Laurent Lairys / Panoramic
INTERVIEW – Just crowned with a third European indoor title in the heptathlon, the double decathlon world champion confided in the Figaro 500 days from the start of the Games, its ultimate goal.
LE FIGARO. – What does it mean to you to be 500 days away from the start of the Olympics?
Kevin MAYER. – If I’m just being pragmatic, I’d say it’s just one day out of many before the Games (smile). I’m someone who basically lives in the moment, but at the same time this J-500 reminds me that it’s getting closer, that the urge is rising. On the other hand, on the sporting level, it is still very far. I am not yet fully oriented Paris 2024, although of course it’s tucked away in a little corner of my head. I just don’t think about it every day.
Have you established a plan to arrive at these Games at the peak of your form?
I don’t think having a plan so far off the mark is a good idea. That would be showing too much automatism. There are new things you learn every day and knowing how to adapt is the best way to progress. My plan is simple: every day I ask myself what I need to do to be better the next day. I go like…
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