Chris can win Beijing medal
Jun 21 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
CHRIS Tomlinson goes into this weekend’s European Cup athletics in the French Alps as one of ten long jumpers with a realistic chance of an Olympic medal, according to former training partner Jonathan Edwards, writes STUART RAYNER.
Triple jump legend Edwards has been impressed with the improvement the Great Britain team has made in the past two years and while he remains realistic about Tomlinson’s chances in Beijing, he sees the Nunthorpe-born athlete as a genuine contender.
His credentials will be tested this weekend in Annecy, where he recorded his first major international win six years ago, and ex-Gateshead Harrier Edwards hopes he proves a slow burner this year.
“Chris won a silver medal in Valencia (in March’s World Indoor Championship) – not in the strongest of long jump competitions, it has to be said,” commented Edwards. “He’s made an okay start to the season but not as good as he might have hoped. That said, he started well last year and things didn’t work out. This is the better way to do it. The long jump is strong without being completely fantastic. There’s probably ten athletes who feel they’re very much in with a chance of a medal if things go their way.”
Tomlinson, who will be making his fifth European Cup appearance, has long been thought of as one of Britain’s best prospects but at 26 is still to fulfil his undoubted potential.
“After 2004, when he came fifth with the furthest ever distance in an Olympic final he probably thought the next four years would be a great time for him, winning medals, getting the British record and becoming one of the best long jumpers in the world,” Edwards said. “That hasn’t happened, partly through injury and also a lack of form. He showed a welcome return to form last summer, but it didn’t happen for him in a championship.”
World record holder Edwards believes Tomlinson’s catalogue of major tournament disappointments can work in his favour in China.
“Experience was a big factor with me,” he said. “Although championships didn’t always go the way I wanted – there were times when I should have won but didn’t – nonetheless, I was always able to maintain a high confidence level.”
Edwards has been pleased with the way GB have rebuilt since the retirement of stars such as Steve Backley, Colin Jackson and himself. “Two years ago I wouldn’t have dreamed we’d have so many athletes with prospects of doing well in Beijing,” he said. “Things were looking pretty dire but really have turned around. We have a reigning world champion in Christine Ohuruogu, a world indoor champion in Phillips Idowu, Kelly Sotherton is in with a real chance in the heptathlon, Nicola Sanders backing up Christine in the 400m. I can reel off all these names and we’re missing Paula Radcliffe and Jessica Ennis with injury.
“The team is building momentum. The Indoor Championships in Birmingham were something of a turning point because we topped the medal table. Until then everyone was getting a bit down in the team. They’ve turned that corner.”
400m runner Sanders returns from a minor knee injury to make her European Cup debut. Ohuruogu steps down to 200m where she has bettered her personal best on several occasions in the last six weeks.
