While harboring great ambitions, the Frenchman is currently only in 4th place in the decathlon after three events.
Far from his personal bests, he said he suffered from back problems, but said he will "give everything to the end".
Decathlon world record holder Kevin Mayer suffers from back problems and is in great difficulty after the first three decathlon events at the Tokyo Olympics, only finishing 4th on Wednesday.
The French, who is seeking a first Olympic title after silver in 2016, totals 2,662 points, far behind the leader, Canadian Damian Warner (2,966 points), his main rival.
When he broke his world record in 2018 (9126 points), he had collected 2824 points after three events.
"I have very little fun"
"It's been a week since I locked my back, it's been a long time since it happened, I don't know where the mistake is," said Kevin Mayer, his eyes wet, in the mixed zone.
"I have very little feeling, very little pleasure, but I think I can go for a medal even like that. I do decathlon because I like the sensations, today I don't have one in one of the biggest dates of my life, it's very frustrating, "he added.
️ "I blocked my back when I arrived in Japan. I'm not enjoying it"
Kévin Mayer's distress following his 4th place overall in the decathlon after three stages.
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“These are not tears of sadness but of frustration. I will give everything to the end, he promised. the choice".
Far from his personal bests
Mayer never managed to come close to his personal bests at the start of the Olympic decathlon.
He started with a time of 10 sec 68 in the 100 m (record at 10 sec 50), before jumping to 7.50 m at length (record at 7.80 m) and finishing by throwing the shot put at 15, 07 m (record at 17.08 m).
The first day of the decathlon will end in the evening with the height and the 400m.