Paris (AFP)
In the aftermath of the cancellation of the European Athletics Championships in Paris due to the coronavirus pandemic, the decathlon world record holder Kevin Mayer, questioned on Friday, wants to be "fatalistic" and considers that "sport is secondary" during this crisis, even if the lack of competition weighs on him.
Q: What is your feeling after the cancellation of the Euro in Paris (planned from August 25 to 30)?
A: "There has been fatalism for two months. Since the confinement, I suspected that the Olympic Games and the European Championships would be postponed. We were not thinking of a cancellation for the Euro but I live so much on the day day at the moment that I don't expect anything anymore. I train for the next competition while not knowing where and when it could take place. What is unfortunate is that I have never done championship in my country and that was close to my heart. We will have to be patient, we are in a complicated period where the sport is in the background and unfortunately we have to accept it. "
Q: What do you think of the words of the Minister of Sports Roxana Maracineanu, who said Wednesday that sport is not "priority" for deconfinement?
A: "I understand why she said that, in her place I would have said the same. Today, the sport is secondary and we shouldn't be complaining about cancellations. It would be very selfish to do it. After that, the movement back in fashion a little bit. We've never seen so many joggers on the streets since the start of containment. We realize that sport is universal and that everyone needs it for their well-being. "
Q: Does the current uncertainty create anxiety for you?
A: "The anxiety comes from the fact that if there is no competition, there is no financial income. The problem arises for some but personally I am not too worried about that side because I’m not a big spender, I have reservations, and apart from building my house, there is practically nothing that comes out of my accounts. But talking about the future is really very complicated To look into the future is to look in the fog. As much to live in the present moment, to take advantage of the small moments of each day and to continue training to become stronger. It is my first motivation. I have so much fun in my training it affects me perhaps less than the others. "
Q: How do you organize your training?
A: "I was injured a lot of the time at the Achilles tendon after the Doha Worlds in 2019 and I did not do athletics. When I started again, I was stronger than before My practice of training is less important than before because I have reached a certain technical mastery which I find again as soon as I resume. So I base everything on physical preparation to be even stronger, so that it is more easy when I have access to the track properly. I have weight bars. The weight room in the house I'm building is finished, we just have a few things to do so that I can go I do bodybuilding there. I'm on the verge of having practically perfect training conditions apart from practicing athletics itself. "
Q: Do you have in mind to take advantage of a possible recovery window in September-October to start regaining competition?
A: "I have only one desire, it is to make competitions. All that I would have to put in my mouth, I will take without worry. If the Decastar (September 19-20 in Talence in the "Bordeaux agglomeration, note) is maintained, it would be a possibility that I participate. But there is so little certainty that it is useless to project forward."
Q: What do you miss most at the moment?
A: "It is to go to the beach, to a forest, to the river, to surf. I can always run a little but it is the space which I lack. But I am not on the edge of depression. From a physical and psychological point of view, I live this confinement very well. I am not bored at all. I watch series, I am a fan of astronomy and I took the opportunity to buy very good stuff, I read manga and physical preparation takes me a lot of time and energy, between 2 and 4 hours (per day). I keep my days busy. My concern is riveted on the disasters caused by this pandemic for society in general. "
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