2012 Men's Triple Jump

This year's men's triple jump is looking like it will be a more contested event than in any other year.

With all the relatively new guns to the elite field. Christian Taylor already jumping 17.62m, Lyukman Adams 17.53m, Osviel Hernandez 17.49m, Will Claye 17.48. Teddy Tamgho set to return very soon (he's lost his sponsorship and is still recovering from injury). We'll see how he comes out of it, a real test of character.

Add to that list Sheryf El-Sheryf last year jumped 17.72m, Alexis Copello 17.68m. Plus any new surprises.

How will Philips Idowu fair against this lot? I fear this is his last chance to win a gold at the olympics. Fingers crossed for the elusive 18m+ jump.

Anyone else here fear he may not even medal?

ryanbailey wrote:This year's men's triple jump is looking like it will be a more contested event than in any other year.

With all the relatively new guns to the elite field. Christian Taylor already jumping 17.62m, Lyukman Adams 17.53m, Osviel Hernandez 17.49m, Will Claye 17.48. Teddy Tamgho set to return very soon (he's lost his sponsorship and is still recovering from injury). We'll see how he comes out of it, a real test of character.

Add to that list Sheryf El-Sheryf last year jumped 17.72m, Alexis Copello 17.68m. Plus any new surprises.

How will Philips Idowu fair against this lot? I fear this is his last chance to win a gold at the olympics. Fingers crossed for the elusive 18m+ jump.

Anyone else here fear he may not even medal?

It's a difficult question because we can't know how he will perform on the day, and what other issues, along the way, may impact upon his chances. There's a lot of strong competitiion - and that is worrying as it increases the chance of someone coming from 'nowhere' with an absolutely enormous jump, leaving everyone else scrambling.

I think Idowu needs to be in 17.80 shape if he wants to give himself a real chance of the title. Previous two Olympics; 2004 - 17.79m ---------------------- 2008 - 17.67m.

I do think Idowu is too good not to get a medal. But will it be enough to get silver of bronze?! No. He wants gold. We want to see him get gold. He's done well in some early competitions - but nothing scintilating [ weather's been awful on occasions ]. We'll know more soon enough

word in France is that Tamgho is still really struggling with injury, hasn't been able to train fully yet, and they're not sure at all if he'll be fit for the Olympics. All a bit mysterious. Honestly wouldn't want to see him competing though, people who assault women are beneath contempt in my eyes.

Apart from that, agree with SJ. Always a tough discipline to predict as one huge jump can get you the title (like last year's Worlds). Idowu has been pretty solid so far this year if unspectacular, but he'll almost certainly need 17.80 at least to win in London. I think we all believe he's capable of it, and he seems to have got very good at dealing with major championships, so let's wait and see.

This event is going to be very fiercely contested - as Ryan says , lots of new talents joining in.
But the one big advantage Idowu has is experience.

And that may be crucial.

Using the half full analogy, the other way of looking at is that he stands an excellent chance to medal. Better chances than many on that list. Plus he's 'playing at home' so he must be considered one of the favorites.

I'd expect to see a few of those listed not get through qualifying, and maybe a few who don't even make the Olympics because of selection systems (US particularly) or injury. The US athletes have to peak early to get through their trials so that might affect their chances a bit too.

Set against that though are the facts that he is carrying a 'niggle' and hasn't really achieved much this year (by his standards), so far.

On balance he is one of the best bets for a gold medal at the games.

French site l'équipe have Tamgho withdrawing due to injury.

On the whole, Idowu strikes my untrained eye as someone who is solid and dependable, but struggles for the groundbreaking performance he may need. If conditions are tough I expect him to win, but if they're favourable someone will pull out THE jump and I can't see Idowu matching it. Silver or Bronze for me.

Well i personally still think idowu still has a 17.7 jump in his legs. Although as you say, may not be enough. Would be extremely shocked if he didnt medal, but hes out for gold 2nd would be first loser to him..

BBC confirm that Tamgho is out.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18404472

I firmly believe that Idowu can jump 17.70's in London - trick is, can he land a jump in the 17.80's?!

Idowu took the European title in Barcelone 2010 with a giant triple jump of 17.81 [ PB ]. So he has it in the tank.

2011 World Championship in Daegu, he initially jumped a big 17.70. A stong marker. But beatable. On his fourth attempt, Christian Taylor jumped a whopping 17.96!

If he is able to get a whopper in early - i.e. 17.80's [ 17.70's is well within his grasp ] - then it places huge pressure on competition as there's not that much further opposition can go. It'd force everyone else into to trying too hard, which often then goes against the athletes.

Of course, though, anything can happen - someone could win with a 17.58 But agree with others who state that of all the British medal hopes, Idowu is our strongest bet. Good luck to the fella

I'm sorry to say that my first reaction to the news Tamgho wasn't going to the Olympics was "good riddance". Does that make me a bad person?

Mad for Chelsea wrote:I'm sorry to say that my first reaction to the news Tamgho wasn't going to the Olympics was "good riddance". Does that make me a bad person?

Yup! Up there with the worst

I would like to add. My reaction was not due to this increasing Idowu's chances of a medal, more to do with the utter contempt in which I hold anyone who beats up women (not to mention the French federation only gave him a slap on the wrist for it - six month ban which covered the off season and indoor season in which he wasn't going to compete anyway).

Mad for Chelsea wrote:I would like to add. My reaction was not due to this increasing Idowu's chances of a medal, more to do with the utter contempt in which I hold anyone who beats up women (not to mention the French federation only gave him a slap on the wrist for it - six month ban which covered the off season and indoor season in which he wasn't going to compete anyway).

Just in case any confusion, my earlier post was in jest

I know this is a bit old now. But does anyone know what provoked the altercation between Glodie Tudiesche and Teddy Tamgho?

Why call it an altercation??? All seems a bit odd. Just curious if anyone can shed some more light.