I’M PHILLIPS

But gutted Idowu lets rip at GB TRIPLE JUMP

PHILLIPS IDOWU hit back at Charles van Commenee after failing to reach the final of the triple jump.

The GB star was slammed by British athletics chief Van Commenee (left) for going AWOL ahead of the Games. And Idowu’s hugely disappointing showing in yesterday’s qualification round in the Olympic Stadium triggered more widespread criticism of the athlete’s preparations.

But Idowu insists he only skipped Team GB’s pre-Games camp in Portugal because he was getting treatment in a bid to be fit for London 2012.

And the 33-year-old, who missed out on the chance to add to the silver he won in Beijing, said: “I can’t even say what the main problem has been. I wasn’t ready.

“There have been little bits of pieces and I have had a problem with my calf, but I don’t want to make excuses.

“But this is my season over and I will probably have to have surgery.

“I’m always one of the guys who comes away from championships with a medal and it just wasn’t me who was competing out there today.

“I’ve competed for 12 years and I can’t remember a time I’ve performed that badly.

“I’m going to go home now and spend some time with my family and my children.

“I’m all at sea now and I