Phillips Idowu on the drift for Olympic gold after injury setback

Phillips Idowu’s dream of claiming an Olympic gold on his own doorstep took a huge blow over the weekend – but don’t rule the triple jumper out yet.

Idowu – who is now out at 6/1 to win triple jump gold – was forced to pull out of the London Grand Prix on Saturday less than half an hour before the event was due to start with a hip injury.

The 33-year-old has only competed three times in 2012 and had previously insisted his long layoff was nothing to do with injury concerns and it could be just a precautionary measure with the Olympics just weeks away.

However, with the Daily Mail reporting that Idowu has now hired his own team of medics to deal with his hip problem, things are starting to look serious for the Beijing silver medallist.

His fellow competitors remain weary though and favourite for the gold, America’s Christian Taylor, still feels the Brit can be a success.

Speaking to the London Evening Standard, Taylor said: “This guy’s been jumping for a long time, he’s experienced, he’s been here before. I have great respect for him, as I have for all the other competitors, so I don’t count him out at all.

“Unfortunately here (Crystal Palace) would have been a nice little preview to see where he is, but maybe he’s keeping that a secret and I just keep my mindset and stay positive and get ready for the Games.”

Taylor is 6/4 favourite to win the triple jump gold and, following his brilliant win at the World Championships last year, he will take some beating.