British triple jumper Phillips Idowu has ruled out the possibility of retirement following his disappointing Olympic performance this morning.
Idowu failed to progress past round one of the men's triple jump after intense speculation over his fitness leading up to the Games.
However, the 33-year-old insisted that he was in the right shape to compete, yet could still only manage 14th place in his heat, with the top 12 going through.
"I struggled with some nervy pains and hadn't been 100%, but I always felt that if I was able to come here and be pain free I should be able to replicate what I've done in previous years," said Idowu.
"My main goal was to be able to be here and be pain free and if I was I felt like the calibre of athlete I am and being such a big occasion that I would be able to pull something special out of the bag. But the timing just wasn't there for me.
"My preparation went well. I've been training every day and working hard. My strength levels and speed are great and I have been able to jump in training so with all of that I felt I was able to come out and put on a decent show but it just wasn't to happen."
Despite the disappointment, however, Idowu is not entertaining the idea of retirement.
"Definitely I am going to carry on competing," he added.
"I don't think you've seen the best of me yet. Regardless of my achievements at these Games I was never going to finish here."
Idowu earlier lamented his performance, dubbing it one of the worst that he has ever produced.
