For a moment, the worst was feared. Kevin Mayer, the world record holder in the decathlon, fell at the Diamond League in Paris on Sunday. It was one of the last tests before the Olympic Games in three weeks time and the decathlete had a scare when he fell to the ground in the 110m hurdles.

He lay motionless on the track, showing signs of pain. Judges and medics rushed to his aid. There were tense moments. He got up in tears, clutching his thigh. He was competing in the third event of a triathlon that also included shot put and long jump.

He put his head in his hands and needed medical attention before being helped off the track, initially in a wheelchair. The exact extent of the mishap has not yet been revealed. However, initial examinations at the scene were not bad. 

It appears to be nothing more than a scare and Mayer will be able to fight for that elusive medal. Mayer is one of the biggest hopes for France to win a medal at the Olympics.

As well as holding the world record of 9,126 points, Mayer is a two-time World Champion (2017, 2022) and a two-time Olympic silver medallist. 

However, injuries and moments of nervousness have accompanied him. He suffered another setback in March when he failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He continues to battle with uncertainty and physical pain. 

The Argenteuil-born athlete does not have the coveted gold medal. In Doha in 2019, severe hamstring pain forced him to withdraw in tears from the pole vault. The Frenchman was also forced to withdraw from the last World Championships in Budapest after experiencing severe pain in his left leg following the long jump.