Barcelona bronze medallist Tomlinson aims to come out on top in London

Chris Tomlinson of Great Britain is hopeful of making a strong comeback at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

British long jumper Chris Tomlinson believes he can be back to his best when it counts, at next summer's Olympic Games.

The injury-prone 2010 European Athletics Championships bronze medallist has been among Europe's top long jumpers for a decade but also has an erratic record on the big occasion.

This summer he set a British record of 8.35m at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Paris back in early July, which also ranked him as Europe's leading long jumper in 2011, but he then struggled at the World Championships when many thought he might get among the medals.

After suffering a knee injury a few weeks before leaving for Daegu, he just made the final and then had to be satisfied with 11th, a result which saw him bring a slightly premature end to his season.

“I was jumping well when I got to the final and then I got injured, but you don’t get any marks for that,” said the 30-year-old Tomlinson.

“As a season, I have progressed tremendously. My average jump is longer and my personal best has gone up again. My technique is constantly improving and it is those positives I need to focus on.”

“There certainly were negatives at the Worlds. I did hurt myself and I need to make sure, over the next 11 months leading up to the Olympics, that I string together injury-free training.

“Ultimately that’s the one thing I need to do. After four months of continuous training, I’ve shown I can be among the best in the world. If I can do it for nine months, I believe I could be unstoppable. Injury has been the only thing holding me back now.”

The Olympic Games next summer is part of a four year plan for Tomlinson to get a medal in London after finishing fifth in 2004 and then crashing out in qualifying in Beijing.

“When I made the decision in 2008 after Beijing to move coaches, move to London and completely change my life, it was part of the gradual steps to London.

“It was all about improving in the years leading up to 2012; my technique, my jumps and my overall performances. My mental strength has also significantly improved,” he added.

“There is going to be extra pressure and extra scrutiny, there’s no doubt about that. We all want British athletes to win Olympic medals and in particular golds.

“It’s not necessarily about the minor medals, we all know that. I’ve got a World Indoor silver and a European bronze. I’ve made finals of World and Olympic championships, but it’s about being a champion,” commented Tomlinson.