Chris is a tip for Olympic stardom

13 April 2012

Chris Tomlinson, the youngest member of the British team who won the Spar European Cup Super League title, was today tipped as an Olympic star of the future.

Britain brought the title home from Annecy in the French Alps ahead of Germany and France for the fourth time in six years and UK Athletics performance director Max Jones marvelled at the coolness of long jumper Tomlinson, who he believes has a marvellous career ahead of him.

Jones believes the 20-year-old Teessider, who broke both of his wrists in a training accident in January, is the epitome of how a professional athlete should conduct himself.

Although wary about making bold predictions, Jones insisted after the men's success, which qualifies them for September's World Cup, that Tomlinson has the qualities of Jonathan Edwards.

"Mark my words, he can win an Olympic medal," predicted Jones of Tomlinson, who in April broke Lynn Davies' British record when clearing 8.27 metres in Florida.

On Saturday, following the expected successes of team captain Dwain Chambers, who equalled Linford Christie's Cup 100 metres record of 10.04 seconds, and world indoor champion Daniel Caines, who won over 400 metres in a personal best 45.14 seconds, Tomlinson took the long jump title.

With the 4x100 metres relay squad also scoring maximum points, the 8.17 metres first round effort of Tomlinson sealed a marvellous day for the British squad.

They all knew they had the scoring ability of world record holders Colin Jackson and Edwards to rely upon on the second day.

And the 110 metres hurdles winner, in a season's best 13.15sec, and his team-mate's 8.19 metres triple jump victory, ensured the British side continued on a roll.

A win in 20.27sec - only 0.02secs off his personal best - saw Marlon Devonish make the most positive contribution of his career since winning the 1995 European junior title.

Then the 4x400 metres relay squad of Jared Deacon, Tim Benjamin, Jamie Baulch and Caines held off both Germany and France to crown a magnificent British weekend.

While they were toiling in the 90 degrees weather scorching Annecy's Municipal Stadium, Tomlinson himself was occupied with, in his own mind, more important things. For him it was just another day.

"I've seen some of the team competing today," said the 6ft 6in Tomlinson yesterday. "But I missed a bit of the action. I rang my coach and I managed to fit in a weight training session this afternoon."

Now he wants to compete in more international competitions abroad and he added: Hopefully after this, I will be picked for the World Cup."

The British women finished fifth and so avoided relegation.

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Chris is a tip for Olympic stardom

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