Triple Jump Men: Phillips Idowu out of the triple jump
Phillips Idowu has slipped down to 14th in the standings so needs to improve on his 16.47m to get the top-12 finish and into the final. He does improve, but it isn’t enough. A leap of 16.53m fails to shunt him up into the top dozen and Idowu pulls off his headband in disgust as he walks away from the pit.
Phillips Idowu looks like he is lacking his usual spring-heeled bounce. His triple jump attempt is rhythmless 16.82m. He needs a 17.10m or to finish in the top 12 to progress to the final.
Phillips Idowu’s toes press down the plasticine at the front of the take-off board as he canters in for his second attempt in qualifying. A no-jump and he ploughs through the sand regardless. Idowu is currently 11th in the standings with his first effort of 16.47m.
That would take him through to the final but it a very gettable target for those outside the top 12 at the moment.
There had been frenzied speculation over the Beijing silver medallist’s fitness following his late withdrawal from the Olympic trials and last month’s London Grand Prix, when he pulled out just 25 minutes before the competition was due to start.
Despite his late arrival into the athletes village, Idowu claimed that for the last few weeks he has simply been in his home city of London, finalising his preparation and receiving treatment, easily reachable by the ‘appropriate people’.
In contrast, UK Athletics head coach Van Commenee said last week he was perplexed that Idowu had turned his back on UKA and his own coach Aston Moore, who had only received a brief text before Idowu cut off contact.
Idowu needed to jump 17.10m to qualify automatically for Thursday’s final.
London 2012 Olympics News: 110 Hurdles men Cuba legend Dayron Robles or USA Superman Jason Richardson
The first heat of the men’s 110m hurdles has been won by Russia’s Sergey Shubenkov out in lane nine. Next up in heat two are the American world champion Jason Richardson and Britain’s Lawrence Clarke. The top three from each race qualify for the semi-finals with the six fastest others joining them.
You have to deliver the goods when you are rocking a combination of a red all-in-one catsuit with shoulder-length dreadlocks. American Jason Richardson does with a winning time of 13.33 seconds in the second heat of the 110m hurdles.
World-record holder Dayron Roubles, Liu Xiang’s great Cuban rival, has eased to victory in the fourth heat of the 110m hurdles in 13.33 – the same time resgistered by Jason Richardson in heat two. Jeff Porter, the American husband of British hurdler Tiffany Porter, slots in to third spot in a time of 13.53.
Great Britain’s Lawrence Clarke is neat and tidy over the barriers as he crosses in second in a time of 13.42 seconds. More than good enough to book his place in Wednesday evening’s semi-finals.
“More Olympic heartache for Liu Xiang in the 110m hurdles – and the Chinese athlete chooses to hop the whole length of the home straight on one leg to kiss the final hurdle before being embraced by Briton Andy Turner – who brought up the loudest cheer of the morning with his win.”
London 2012 Olympics News: Triathlon Iron mens at Olympic games
“They’ve stated they’re going to be aggressive and they have total disdain for conservative tactics. From the gun they will be going for that gold medal.
“They benefit from training with each other and they will have developed a tactic to maximise their chances of winning gold and silver and Stuart Hayes will help them get into the position to fight for gold and silver.
They’re both phenomenal athletes and have shown incredible pedigree over the last few years. Alistair’s injury woes are behind him and he would have to be my favourite.
“They’re head and shoulders above the rest and we’ll see the other teams trying to break the others early on, some breakaways no the bike when people get a nice cushion going into the run because if there is a group going into the run and the Brownlees are there I wouldn’t bet against them getting gold and silver.”
People are talking about the Brownlee triathlon one-two as if it’s a done deal. But here’s one man who could rain on their parade.Alistair Brownlee target became first British Triathlon Olympic Champion.
Russia’s Alexander Bryukhankov has yet to win a world series race but he was the only one within touching distance of Alistair Brownlee at last year’s Hyde Park race, which was run in abysmal weather. Bryukhankov leads this year’s world series standings.
Spains Javier Gomez and South Africa’s Richard Murray could also poop the party.
Richard Varga of Slovakia is leading the triathlon with Spain’s Javier Gomez, Jonny and Alistair Brownlee also among the front-runners. A reminder that the 1500m swim will be followed by a 37km cycle ride and a 10km run.
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