Unstoppable Idowu targets Beijing gold

4:15pm Thursday 17th July 2008

Belgrave Harriers triple jumper Phillips Idowu boosted his hopes of striking gold in Beijing when he won the British Olympic trial event at Birmingham on Sunday.

His previous world leading jump was 17.55m, but he twice improved on this with leaps of 17.58 and 17.57m in winning Sunday's showdown.

Idowu pulled out after three rounds, having won the competition.

"I've moved up a bit further in the world rankings and taken my confidence to a higher level than before," said Idowu, who now boasts the three furthest jumps in the world this year.

Belgrave's European indoor 60m silver medallist Dwain Chambers posted his fastest time yet since returning from a two-year drugs ban in winning the 100m in 10 seconds flat.

Earlier, he won his first round race in 10.14 and his semi-final in 10.21.

He came through late to pip Simeon Williamson by just three-hundredths of a second.

He said: "That was hard work. My biggest fear was not winning. Hopefully next week, things will go well (in the High Court). I would like to thank all those people who have supported me."

Chambers is trying to overturn the British Olympic Association by-law banning him from competing in Beijing.

l John Fisher old boy Martyn Rooney clinched his Beijing team place with a convincing 400m victory.

He maintained his unbeaten record with a 45.31 second triumph.

Rooney said: "I am a bit disappointed not to go under 45 seconds but a win is a win."

He hopes to go faster at Paris on Friday or at Crystal Palace the following weekend.

"I'm planning a bit more weights and endurance work in the next few weeks."

l Teddington-based Mo Farah, the European 5,000m silver medallist, was taken to hospital to have stitches inserted into a spike injury he suffered on his way to taking the silver medal in the 1,500m.

He was fourth at the bell but with a burst of finishing speed down the home straight managed to take second place in 3:39.66.

Farah, who recently destroyed the field when winning the European Cup 5,000m, finished in 3:39.66, and insisted his Beijing plans are on course.

"This weekend was all about speed work and getting my legs ticking ahead of Crystal Palace and the Olympics," said Farah.

"I was really pleased with the way it went and I felt really good. I want to peak at the Olympics and I believe I am on the way to doing that."

Another Teddington-based athlete, Jo Pavey, led from the gun to win the women's 5,000m by 16 seconds in 15:12.55.

l St Mary's lecturer Andy Baddeley, Britain's top 1,500m runner, moved through from third at the bell to take the silver medal in the 800m in 1:50.48. Twickenham-based Susan Scott was also second in the women's 1,500m in 4:16.66.

Editor's Choice