Kevin Mayer Returns to Site That Saw Him Break Decathlon World Record in 2018

By Adam Kopet

Kevin Mayer of France is set to return to the Decastar multi-events competition this weekend in Talence, France. The last time Mayer competed there, he broke Ashton Eaton's world record in the decathlon.

In normal years, the Decastar event takes place in September, but with the IAAF World Outdoor Championships beginning in late September, the meet was moved forward three months.

Mayer set his world record of 9,126 points on the same day Eliud Kipchoge shattered the marathon world record. Mayer improved on Eaton's mark by 81 points.

This weekend will be Mayer's decathlon season debut. His main goal this year is likely to defend his world title from 2017.

Also making her multi-event season debut is Belgium's Nafissatou Thiam. An injury during the winter forced the reigning world champion in the heptathlon to miss the indoor season and delay her outdoor season debut.

Thiam, who ranks third on the heptathlon all-time performer list, has shown good form in the past month, setting a personal best at 200 meters as well as winning the long jump and 100-meter hurdles in a meet in the Netherlands.

This will be the first time Thiam competes at the Decastar.

The IAAF has a full Decastar preview.