London 2012 Olympics: Phillips Idowu in London and finalising preparations to tilt at triple jump

PHILLIPS Idowu yesterday responded to speculation about his fitness by revealing he is finalising his preparations for the triple jump at London 2012.

Idowu, 33, opted not to travel to the UKA’s pre-Games training camp in Portugal so that he could continue treatment on an hip injury.

Idowu, who won a silver medal in Beijing, tweeted yesterday: “I’m in London where I have been for the last few weeks, finalising my prep and receiving therapy.

“My coach knew about this and it has not been a secret. I have to give notification of my whereabouts everyday for doping purposes, so impossible to completely disappear.

“The appropriate people can contact me with ease. there is no story here at all.

“I’ve only heard about the hysteria about my whereabouts today as I’ve been on a media lockdown, I’m into the village on Sunday as was planned months ago.

“TeamGB have been performing amazingly they need the column inches and adulation for their efforts. Positivity GOD Bless.”

Idowu has not competed since injuring his foot when he landed awkwardly in a triple jump competition in Eugene, Oregon, on June 2, though his recent problems relate to a hip problem that flared up at the Aviva London Grand Prix. Qualifying for the men’s triple jump is on Tuesday with the final taking place on Thursday.

On Wednesday, UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee admitted he was “perplexed” by the decision of Idowu to turn his back on his own coach Aston Moore ahead of the Games.

Van Commenee was informed by the British Olympic Association (BOA) that Idowu would be fit for triple jump qualifying on Tuesday but remained thrown by his preparations.

“Up until about two weeks ago, Aston Moore was in regular contact and had seen him in training a number of times, but that contact died,” said Van Commenee last Wednesday, having not spoken to Idowu since a row over his withdrawal from the European Team Championships.

“Phillips decided not to join the team [in Portugal] and by definition in my eyes he compromises his preparation. I find it bizarre. Aston finds it bizarre.

“He’s under the wing of the BOA at the moment and we’ll support when that’s needed, like we always have.

“UK Athletics has supported Phillips Idowu for about 12 years. We pay the salary of his coach, our coach, so I’m perplexed that the last two weeks before the Games he turns his back on us, and I’ve got no idea why.

“All information we have about Phillips is now coming from the BOA. That information is that he’s fit and ready to go.

“Therefore Phillips Idowu is fit to compete and probably in great shape, because that’s the sort of athlete he is. I’m sure he’ll be a medal contender.”