Fresh from his second world decathlon title, France's Kevin Mayer announced on Monday he intends to compete at this month's European Championships in Munich.

I've never been champion of Europe. I'm 30 years old. I want to make myself happy. This is a great opportunity, he told a virtual press conference.

This represents an about turn for the athlete who on his return from the worlds in Eugene suggested he was 99 percent certain he would not be in Munich for the August 15-21 championships for fear of getting injured ahead of next year's worlds in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Reporting that he had emerged from his exploits in Eugene in good shape he added: I've got a shot at being European champion so I'm going to take it.

While he claimed the world title in 2017 and 2022 Mayer's best showing at a European Championships is silver in Zurich in 2014.

Last month Mayer won his second world gold, benefiting from the withdrawal through injury of Olympic champion Damian Warner.

Mayer also won the world title in London five years ago.

rbo/ep/jde/nr/pb