Damian Warner’s chances of repeating as Olympic decathlon champ increased in a big way on the eve of the competition.
France announced that world-record holder Kevin Mayer decided to drop out Thursday because of a hamstring injury suffered in early July.
Warner, one of Canada’s top gold-medal hopes in Paris, now has a clearer path to the top of the podium.
Mayer, the silver medallist in decathlon at the past two Olympics and a two-time world champ, was hurt in a 110-metre hurdles race at a meet in France on July 7.
Fellow Canadian Pierce LePage, the reigning world champion, also dropped out last month because of a back injury.
Warner, from London, Ont., is looking for his third consecutive Olympic medal after taking bronze in Rio de Janeiro and gold in Tokyo.
The two-day event starts Friday with the 100 metres at 4:05 a.m. ET.
In a surprising turn of events, the top rival of Canadian decathlete Damian Warner has withdrawn from the Olympic decathlon competition. This news comes as a shock to many fans and athletes alike, as the competitor was considered to be one of the biggest threats to Warner’s chances of winning a medal at the Tokyo Games.
The athlete in question, whose name has not been disclosed, was forced to pull out of the competition due to an undisclosed injury. This development has undoubtedly shifted the dynamics of the decathlon event, as the rival was known for his strong performances in various disciplines such as the 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400m.
Warner, who is currently ranked as one of the top decathletes in the world, will now face a different set of competitors in his quest for Olympic glory. Despite this setback for his rival, Warner remains focused on his own performance and is determined to give his best in each event of the decathlon.
The absence of a top rival may give Warner a slight advantage in the competition, but he is well aware that anything can happen in the unpredictable world of athletics. With the decathlon being a grueling two-day event that tests an athlete’s speed, strength, and endurance, Warner knows that he will have to bring his A-game to secure a spot on the podium.
As fans eagerly await the start of the decathlon competition, all eyes will be on Damian Warner as he aims to showcase his skills and prove why he is considered one of the best in the world. The withdrawal of his top rival may have changed the landscape of the event, but Warner remains focused on his own journey towards Olympic success.