• London Olympics 2012

Only gold good enough for Idowu

ESPN staff
April 21, 2011
Phillips Idowu is the reigning world and Olympic champion © PA Photos
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Phillips Idowu says anything less than a gold medal will constitute a failure at London 2012.

The reigning world and European triple jump champion will return to London, just a stone's throw from where he endured a tough upbringing in the East End, and he believes there would be no better place to be crowned Olympic champion.

"This is my home Games, not just in London but right on my doorstep, where I was brought up," Idowu told the Sun. "Growing up there was pretty tough in lots of ways, but the same story as a lot of kids in the East End. Lack of money, lack of opportunities.

"Winning that gold medal would be a massive achievement considering my upbringing. It would all have come full circle. It would make up for all the heartbreak and problems I had growing up. If I can come out with a gold medal right in the place where I struggled, where the heartbreak was, then that would be special."

Having suffered the disappointment of three no-jumps in the Olympic final at Athens 2004, he was forced to settle for silver after being narrowly beaten by Portugal's Nelson Evora in Beijing, and now Idowu, 32, is determined to get his hands on the one title that still eludes him.

"Earlier in my career I would have been happy with Olympic silver but after going through all the injuries and operations, now anything other than gold isn't acceptable," Idowu said. "I've got the date in my diary and I'm not frightened about anything."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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