• London Olympics 2012

Idowu to sacrifice medals in world record bid

ESPN staff
May 26, 2011
Phillips Idowu has set his sights on Jonathan Edwards' triple jump world record © Getty Images
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Phillips Idowu insists he is more interested in breaking the triple jump world record than defending his world title later this year.

The Olympic silver medallist's ultimate focus remains triple jump gold at London 2012 next summer, and he believes working on distance, not picking up medals is the best way to achieve that goal.

"I'd rather jump a world record than have the world title, and then win the Olympic title next year," Idowu told the Daily Mirror.

Jonathan Edwards' record of 18.29 metres has stood for 16 years, but Idowu, whose personal best is 17.81m remains confident he can break the 18-metre barrer, even if he has to sacrifice the world title to do so.

"This year is the perfect opportunity for me to really focus on distance as for the last few years I've had to focus on picking up the titles I didn't have," Idowu said.

"That's what I did at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the 2007 European Indoors, the 2008 World Indoors, the 2009 World Outdoors and the 2010 European outdoors.

"In each of those years my focus was on doing what I had to do to win that medal, even if it meant sacrificing the bulk of the main season. And on each occasion I achieved my goal, which leaves only the Olympics as unfinished business.

"So as I'm already world champion I can this year focus on jumping as far as I can. I definitely believe I can go over 18m and if it means I sacrifice my performance in the summer because I'm focused on that one goal then I'm willing to do that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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