After the double Olympic gold fell from the sky in Tokyo last summer, in the 100m and with the Italian 4x100m relay, Jacobs had taken advantage of the winter to extend his domination to the hall with the world gold in the 60m.

Italian Marcell Jacobs, 60m indoor world champion, March 19, 2022 in Belgrade ANDREJ ISAKOVIC AFP / Archives

But a thigh strain that occurred in mid-May then turned the tattooed Italian's summer preparation upside down.

Prior to that, the 27-year-old sprinter was due to kick off his season earlier this month in Nairobi, but intestinal issues prevented him from doing so.

In total, he was thus only able to compete in two Italian competitions on the straight, in Savona on May 18 (9.99 too windy), then in the National Championships at the end of June (10.12).

But none of international scope.

Olympic 100m champion, Italian Marcell Jacobs (c) wins the final during the Italian Championships, June 25, 2022 in Rieti Emiliano GRILLOTTI AFP / Archives

Expected in Stockholm two weeks ago, he had given up at the last minute, the fault of waking up from pain in training.

So much so that in the world balance sheets, he is relegated very far from his Olympic dolphin, the American Fred Kerley, flashed in 9 sec 76 at the end of June at the US selections and best world performer of the season, and others Trayvon Bromell (9.81) and Ferdinand Omanyala (9.85) who received his American visa in extremis.

The latest news from Jacobs, given through his coach Paolo Camossi, is however very reassuring.

"More serene every day"

"The physical problem is resolved, he no longer feels any pain," he said in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera published on Wednesday.

According to the doctors, "Marcell is ready", he adds.

Italian Marcell Jacobs, Olympic champion in the 100 meters, with his French chiropractor Renaud Xavier Dejean, June 23, 2022 in Rome FILIPPO MONTEFORTE AFP / Archives

The Italian Athletics Federation confirmed the same day the sprinter's participation in the Eugene Worlds.

"A scenario according to which Marcell does not show up" at the start of the 100m series on Friday evening (03:50 am Saturday French time) on the legendary Hayward Field track "does not exist", insists the Italian technician.

However, in what form will we see Jacobs?

"It's true that he ran less outdoors than we would have liked" and "the body of course needs time to get used to the high intensity again", but "since we are in Oregon , I see Marcell more serene every day", assures Camossi, who left for an internship with his foal in Beaverton, near Portland, two hours from Eugene before the first Worlds in history on American soil.

Italian Marcell Jacobs, after winning his 100m series, on May 18, 2022 at the Savona meeting (Italy) Marco BERTORELLO AFP / Archives

"All the work that needed to be done has been done. The intensity has gradually increased", all "in an environment of absolute tranquility", appreciates the coach.

"If he can run free, Marcell can do great things," he said.

"And anyway, I remind the Americans that the rematch will not take place here, but at the Paris Olympics in two years."

In the meantime, Jacobs has launched a countdown on social networks for ten days: D-10, D-3, then D-1.

It is coming to an end: place for the playoffs on Friday evening and for the semi-finals and the final the next day.

© 2022 AFP