Phillips Idowu

Phillips Olaosebikan Idowu MBE (born 30 December 1978 in the London Borough of Hackney) is a British triple jumper of ethnic Nigerian heritage. He is the current World Champion the 2008 World Indoor champion and reigning 2010 EAA European Champion representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as 2006 Commonwealth Games champion representing England and 2007 European Indoor champion. He also won the silver medal representing Team GB at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

He is a member of the London-based Belgrave Harriers athletics club and has been for much of his career.

Despite his successes he has at times been accused of inconsistency and of failing to fulfil his potential. His championship record since 2008, especially his gold medal at the 2009 World Athletics Championships, has addressed these criticisms.

Early life

Idowu was born to parents of Nigerian origin. He grew up in Hackney, in East London, and describes himself as "the clean-cut black guy who used to dye his hair all them crazy colours and who's now got these studs".

Career

Idowu was a talented sportsman at school in both basketball and American football, yet he was most successful as a junior in athletics. In 1997 he came to attention as a triple jumper when he won the English Schools Championships and...
Read More