Phillips Idowu is the outstanding favourite to win gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the Triple Jump and will be boosted by the withdrawal of former Olympic champion and closest rival Christian Olsson. Idowu’s main challenge now is maintaining concentration and avoiding the same fate that befell him at Athens, where three ‘no jumps’ resulted in a last place finish. In the lead up to the Beijing Olympics Idowu has been in fine form and recently claimed the gold medal in the World Indoor Championships in Athletics with an impressive jump of 17.75m. If he performs to his potential at the Beijing Olympics Great Britain will celebrate a rare track and field success.

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