• London 2012 - Athletics

Idowu expects to go under knife

ESPN staff
August 7, 2012
Phillips Idowu could only manage to jump 16.53m on Tuesday © PA Photos
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Phillips Idowu believes he needs surgery after a performance at London 2012 he described as the worst he could remember producing.

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The British triple jumper failed to qualify for the final of his event on Tuesday, as he could not manage to jump above 16.53m, 4cm less than he needed to progress.

Idowu's preparations for the Olympics were disrupted by concerns over his fitness and his failure to keep in contact with UK Athletics. And after his leap, he lifted the lid on the problems that have dogged him.

"I felt okay," Idowu told the BBC. "I saw my physio before today and went in pain free. Conditions were not difficult but that was not me out there today. I have competed for 12 years and I can't remember when I have performed that badly.

"I am guessing I will most likely need surgery at the end of the season. So I will probably wrap up the season. The goal was to come here and fight for the Olympic gold medal. It was not to be so I will go home and reassess and try not to be so down. It is over now and it is a shame. The crowd have been great and I am upset I have let them down.

"I have been tagged as a medal favourite and am upset I won't get the chance to go and compete.

"I have a problem with my right leg but I can't say specifically. I have had pain shooting down my back and hip into the back of my knee. I had a decent hop and step but could not get that final phase."

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