OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Idowu is the invisible man, says British athletics coach

By Sportsbeat staff, London 2012

PHILLIPS Idowu has been labelled an 'invisible man' by British athletics coach Charles van Commenee, who has made no attempt to smooth over the pair's relationship on the eve of Olympic track and field events. 

ABSENT: Phillips Idowu has got the Olympic kit but will he compete at London 2012? He's an invisible man, says British athletics coach

Former world triple jump champion Idowu and van Commenee have not been on speaking terms since the latter criticised the former in a row over his use of social networking site Twitter.

Van Commenee claims he is perplexed by Idowu's preparations for the Games, he hasn't jumped since June 2nd, initially insisting he wasn't injured and then withdrew from the team preparation camp in the Algarve because he claimed he was.

Idowu then fell out with the British Olympic Association after they publicly requested his medical records.

“The sport is so big and we’re in a wonderful place, we’re at a home Olympics," said van Commenee, who is targeting eight medals in track and field events, double what Team GB achieved in Beijing. 

"The team is the strongest it’s been for a long time and what do we do? We talk about the invisible man. Why? We have great athletes ready to go.

”We are represented in over 90 per cent of events and we not only have some serious medal contenders but representation across the board.

"We'll support Phillips like we always have. UK Athletics have supported Philips for about 12 years, financially, with training, accommodation, camps, medical support, psychologists, biomechanics and coaching support. 

"I am perplexed that in the last few weeks before the Games he turns his back on us and I have no idea why.

“Philips decided not to join the team in Portugal and by definition, in my eyes, therefore compromises his preparation.

“But knowing the athlete he is I’m sure he is a strong contender for a medal, he has to be, it’s a matter of deduction, of fact.”

British team captain Dai Greene also claimed he'd made no attempt to contact Idowu, whose coach Aston Moore also admitted he had no idea of his star charge's fitness last week.

"We’re not pen-pals or anything," said Greene.

“We’re trying to prepare ourselves individually, Philips is very successful in his career, it’s a shame he wasn’t at the camp but these things happen and there was a good positive atmosphere.

“I haven’t had any contact with him but then again I do only see him at competitions."

© Sportsbeat 2012