Betfair Official Blog

SportAid Athlete of the Day: Phillips Idowu

Name: Phillips Idowu
Age: 29
From: London
Event: Triple Jump
Schedule: Qualifying 18/08, Final 21/08

Phillips real breakthrough came in 2000 when he qualified for the Olympic final with a personal best of 17.12. He came 6th that year which gave him the belief that he could go on to bigger and better things. He went on to win the European Cup in 2001 and a silver at the Commonwealth Games.
Disappointment followed in Athens in 2004 where he produced three no jumps in the final.
This year could be very different as he goes into Beijing viewed as the best Triple Jumper in the world at the moment.
Having won the World Indoor title this year with a personal best jump of 17.75, Phillips is convinced that the Olympic title will be his this year. He also has his sights set on SportsAid alumni, Jonathon Edward's outstanding world record of 18.29m which has stood since 1995.
Not only does he possess raw talent on the track but Phillips has been a top basketball and American Footballer at school.
Key Achievements

Olympics 2000 - 6th place
Commonwealth Games 2002 - silver medal
Europeans 2007 - 5th
World Indoors - gold medal