Idowu hopes to maintain record

injured olsson forced to withdraw

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TRIPLE jumper Phillips Idowu is disappointed his main rival for Olympic gold, Christian Olsson, who was forced to withdraw from the Beijing games yesterday due to a thigh injury, won’t be there to defend his title.

“I'm upset for him, but whether he was there or not, I would still have stuck to my plan," said Idowu who also admitted he is comfortable in the knowledge that he is now the overwhelming favourite to win the event.

The Briton is determined to maintain his unbeaten record in this weekend’s Aviva London Grand Prix, his final outing before flying off to the Team GB Olympic preparation camp in Macau next week.

Idowu, who is looking forward to his third successive Games, believes a fifth straight victory since opening his Olympic build-up in Crete, in June, will be just the tonic he needs before departing for the far east.

The Londoner’s confidence has spiralled since winning the world indoor title in March, and his outdoor form has suggested he can emulate the feat of Jonathan Edwards in 2000 by bringing home the gold medal.

Idowu has been regularly clearing 17m and finally appears to have shrugged off his past inconsistency.

The 2006 Commonwealth champion needs no reminding he has failed to match the expectations raised when he reached the 2000 Olympic final.

But after smashing Edwards’ UK indoor record with his leap of 17.68m to win the world crown in Valencia, Idowu now appears on course to finally show his true potential.

“I can’t wait for London,” said Idowu, “I really want to head to Beijing with my unbeaten record intact.”