Chris Tomlinson will not get carried away after a sudden return to form sees him regarded as a potential medallist.
Experienced long jumper turning the corner in time for London
Chris Tomlinson had almost resigned himself to missing out on the Olympics earlier this year but a sudden return to form means he'll now head to London regarded as a potential medal contender.
The 30-year-old long jumper had been struggling with a troublesome knee injury this season and despite falling well short of the 'A' standard mark of 8.20 metres prior to the July 2 deadline and failing to even qualify for the final at last month's European Championships, he was still selected to represent Team GB at the Games.
A grateful Tomlinson proved this was the right decision over the weekend as he nailed an encouraging final-round leap of 8.26m at the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace to finish second, just two centimetres behind gold medal favourite Mitchell Watt of Australia.
However, the Teesider isn't getting carried away and feels the reaction to his performances just highlights the fickle nature of sport.
He said: "Sometimes as an athlete you know you've got to put yourself on the line when you know you're not 100 per cent. That's what I've had to do and as a result I had some poor performances and got some bad press - but at least now I can look forward to the Olympics.
"I'm happy with 8.26m but I've now got to try and build on it.
"The criticism is just part and parcel of the sport we live in. We're so performance driven that when we have a few poor performance, everyone focuses on them and blows it all out of proportion.
"Anyone who has been in and around my athletics would have told you that I wasn't jumping into a sand pit until back end of May. So it was always going to be tough to jump well at the trials.
"Fortunately the selectors showed faith in me and looked at my performances from last year, and I've got to thank them for that.
Bouncing back
"It has taken time but fortunately I seem to be turning the corner at just the right time.
"Before Crystal Palace everyone thought I was out of shape and out of form and wouldn't get a medal jumping like I have.
"Now people are going to turn round now and say I've got a chance! It's the nature of our sport and I've just got to forget what everyone else is saying and just focus on what I need to do."
Tomlinson is no stranger to injuries after a knee problem ruined bid for glory at last year's world championships in Daegu, where hopes were high having extended the British record to 8.35m earlier that summer.
That mark was equalled by British rival Greg Rutherford back in May - which was the same time when he felt his Olympic dreams were in tatters.
Tomlinson said: "When it was May time I thought I probably wouldn't be going to the Games. But now I'm going to the Games on the back of 8.26m in a good competition.
"I want to go there and enjoy it. It's a home Olympics so I've got to make the most of it."
The Newham and Essex Beagles athlete, who won European bronze in 2010, accepts Watt remains favourite for Olympic gold but insists anything can happen.
He said: "No doubt about it, Mitchell Watt is favourite for the Olympic long jump title based on last year and this year. But it's only one competition and the favourites don't always win."
