Medals a long way off, says Tomlinson

Jan 16 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

CHRIS Tomlinson admits it is too soon for him to be considered a medal prospect at a major championship as he attacked his critics for expecting too much too soon from one of our London 2012 hopefuls.

Tomlinson has been making steady improvements on the global stage, but insists the expectations put on him are unrealistic at this stage of his career.

The 28-year-old is thought to be one of our best hopes for a track and field medal at the Olympics in just over two years time, and he is happy to have that pressure on his shoulders.

However, the Middlesbrough-born Newham and Essex Beagles athlete, who won a silver medal in the World Indoor Championships in 2008, has urged people to start recognising the fact he has made consistent progress as an international athlete rather than focus on his lack of medals at major championships.

He said: “I was happy with 2009. I jumped more than 8m in 10 competitions last year, which is seen as the world-class benchmark.

“I have read people saying Chris Tomlinson has failed to perform at another major championships, but my personal best is 8:29m.

“At the World Championships the bronze medal needed a jump of 8:37m. I am simply not at that level yet. I am not as good as the guys I am competing against, but that is the aim. Maybe this year, who knows.

“I am working to improve and be better year after year, but it was too soon for me to be considered a medal prospect at major championships.

“My first objective next year is to improve my personal best and be closer to that standard, which will mean I am not just making up the numbers in the final but I am also challenging for a medal and eventually the big one – the gold.”

While the London Olympics is on the horizon, Tomlinson knows there are plenty of other things to worry about before then.