• London Olympics 2012

Idowu's rival Evora out of Olympic title defence

ESPN staff
January 19, 2012
Nelson Evora outjumped Phillips Idowu by 5cm to win Olympic gold in Beijing © Getty Images
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Phillips Idowu's path to Olympic triple jump gold opened up on Thursday following an injury to defending champion Nelson Evora.

The Portuguese fractured his shinbone for the second time in two years and will not recover in time to defend his title in London.

Evora, who followed up his surprise world title in 2007 with gold in Beijing the following year, collapsed in pain while warming up for a field event in Lisbon on Wednesday.

After being rushed to hospital, the 27-year-old conceded his Olympic title defence, leaving Frenchman Teddy Tamgho and world champion Christian Taylor as Idowu's main rivals for victory.

However, Idowu insists Evora's absence was a blow and wished his rival a speedy recovery.

"Nelson Evora's injury is in no way shape or form good news for me," Idowu wrote on his Twitter page. "I want to compete and win against the best. I wish him a speedy recovery."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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