Editor's letter

Beijing beckons and Idowu is my man

THE major events of the spring – in Valencia, Edinburgh and London – are still fresh in our memory, but summer has quietly crept up on us and announced its arrival. Most counties have already staged their track and field championships. The traditional “pipe opener” for top-tier domestic athletes – the Loughborough International – takes place this weekend. Even the sun is shining (or at least it is as I write).

This is an extra-special summer, too. A once-every-four-years kind of summer. An Olympic summer. To many, the next few months are all about Beijing. There will be many great moments on the way, but the final act, which is played out from August 15-24, will dwarf everything else.

Given this, it’s a good time to make some predictions. And I’ll start with my tip for gold – Phillips Idowu.

The triple jumper, I believe, could be Britain’s only athletics gold medallist at these Games. He won the world indoor title in March and his biggest rival, Christian Olsson of Sweden, has been injured.

My only worry is that I had the same hunch last year and put a tenner on him to win in Osaka. It was the only bet I made prior to the World Championships – just as well, as he finished sixth.

Gold and silver medallists over 400m in Osaka, Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders, should come close again. But Sanya Richards of the United States will surely be too strong.

In the heptathlon, some people are assuming Kelly Sotherton and Jessica Ennis will finish one-two following Carolina Klüft’s withdrawal. But I would not be so hasty, for they will still face tough opposition and would do well to make the podium.

These contenders aside, there are a several others who could win medals. Chris Tomlinson, Becky Lyne, Jo Pavey, Dean Macey, Mara Yamauchi and this week’s cover star, Tasha Danvers, for example.

Then there is Paula Radcliffe, who on paper deserves to be given gold right now. But she is in the toughest, most unpredictable event and has started the summer on the back foot due to injury.

It would be foolish, however, to write off the world record-holder. She has a real chance. And if you add the relays then Britain approaches Beijing with a healthy number of challengers.

Jason Henderson, Editor

From this week's Athletics Weekly, - available in WH Smith and all good newsagents, or on subscription

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