Paris 2024 athletics: France's Kevin Mayer out of Olympic Games decathlon competition 

The French National Olympic Committee announced on Thursday, 1 August that athletics great Kevin Mayer will not compete in the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The decathlon world record holder was expected to be one of the stars of these Olympic Games, but suffered a hamstring injury in early July while competing at a meet in Paris.

"I had some tests this morning and, to be clear, I could run 20 metres at around 80-85 per cent," Mayer explained in a press conference following the announcement that has been translated from the original French. "I felt a sting that was electric. It wasn't huge, but I was far from able to run a 100m at full fitness.

"I spent about three hours hesitating. I wanted to do it but I knew there was no chance. I met with my team and everyone spoke about where we stood. The conclusion was that I had tried everything."

Mayer had been due to begin his campaign in the Paris 2024 decathlon competition with the 100m sprint on 2 August.

The 32-year-old is one of the most decorated athletes in decathlon history, with two silver medals from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 and two world championships golds from 2017 and 2022, in addition to the world record of 9126 points that he achieved in 2018.

He expressed his regret at not being able to perform in front of the home crowd at the Stade de France where he would have been expected to receive a hero's welcome, the type of which many other French athletes have received at these Games.

"It's incredible to get goosebumps because of the crowd at the Stade de France, but I wanted to perform well and give the crowd goosebumps, not the other way around," he continued. "Since I am not fit enough to give my best, there is no reason for me to go to the stadium, hurt myself and make a show of myself."