Tomlinson takes leap of faith

With Colin Jackson and Jonathan Edwards gone, the sport needs exciting new blood. Tomlinson shares the good looks of his model sister Kate and when this still raw, beanpole 21-year-old became the first British man to bound into a world long jump final - as second leading qualifier with his 8.16m opener - the star quality was evident.

Particularly to the watching UK Athletics president, who could jump a bit himself. "I think he's got real charisma," said Lynn Davies, the 1964 Olympic champ whose British record, the oldest in the book, was finally broken after 34 years by Tomlinson's 8.27m effort last year. "You could see here how the crowd love watching him. There's passion in his running, he has these long flowing locks and has this spectacular leg shoot with his enormously long legs. At 6ft 6in, with natural speed and spring, I think he's capable of 8.50 and has the ability to medal here."

If he does, Tomlinson reckons he will owe a debt to Lynn the Leap. "When I broke his record, I thought 'this long jump lark's pretty easy, I'll be jumping 8.50 by the end of the year'. But then this year, when I got hamstring, shin and lower back injuries, and lost confidence, I realised how difficult it is.

"When I was down and injured, Lynn kept my chin up, saying 'Don't worry, everyone has bad days. It's how you handle it that matters.' He's a great, down-to-earth guy who's an inspiration because, even though it was before I was born, he's proved it's possible to win a long jump gold in a British vest." A slight modification to his technique by Peter Stanley, Jonathan Edwards's coach, saw him produce his best leap for 14 months here.

In an event where Spain's Yago Lamela is warm favourite to succeed Cuba's injured four-time champ Ivan Pedroso - "It will take 8.50 to challenge Yago," said Tomlinson - the other podium spots look open.

Even if it proves too much too soon for him tonight, Tomlinson's breakthrough has already been a reminder that it's not all gloom and doom for Britain here.

"We will miss greats like Jonathan but I think we've got a new wave like Mark Lewis-Francis who'll be able to emulate them. Come the Beijing Olympics, I think you'll see the real results," said Tomlinson.

What price on the first leap into that future being made by him tonight?