I’m Peking just in time for Games, says Idowu
British triple-jumper Phillips Idowu is desperate to extend his unbeaten streak this weekend at Crystal Palace.
Londoner Idowu heads to the Olympics as clear favourite to claim gold, having dominated the event since winning the World Indoor title earlier this year.
The 29-year-old has won all four of his Beijing warm-ups in the last two months, and wants another victory at the London Grand Prix tomorrow evening.
“I want to jump well in Crystal Palace,” said Idowu. “I really want to head to Beijing with my unbeaten record intact. Confidence is so important in this game and I’m feeling really confident this season. I want to head to Beijing feeling good. I’m as fit as I’ve ever been and as happy as I’ve ever been with my form.”
Having achieved this year’s biggest jump of 17.58m, Idowu was fancied to win the event in China next month even before defending champion Christian Olsson withdrew with an injury earlier this week. But Idowu insists he will still have to maintain his superb form to land the top prize.
“You don’t need to tell me that nothing has been achieved yet this summer,” he added. “All this form will count for nothing if I can’t convert that into the gold medal in Beijing.
“It is disappointing that Christian hurt himself. I was looking forward to competing against him. He was the defending champion. I’m cool with that, I don’t mind being called favourite. But I won’t have it all my own way.”