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Hi again,

It was really pleasing to have got to the Games against all odds. To get to a second Olympics Games was really wonderful. Unfortunately, when I got out there, I was disappointed that I missed basically four to five weeks of critical training and my body was in a down mode.

My leg is actually okay and it was not hurting at all when I was running. It was purely a case of, let’s say, match fitness like in football. That was what was lacking.

I did not do much sightseeing before the competition. I only got there on the Tuesday before it kicked off because of the injury and stayed in the Olympic village.

When the qualification round came, I knew what I had set out to do but unfortunately my body just was not in a position to produce the goods. It is an ongoing thing and you are more aware of situations. I was aware going into it that I just wanted to give it my all and fight for it. When I realised I had not done it I was very disappointed and was very disappointed for 48 hours after that. But equally I was sure that I had given it my all. It was not a case of having any regrets as I have only messed up at one major championship and that was Osaka last year and never wanted to feel that way again.

After the competition, my wife and I had three days to see the sights. We went to the Tianamen Square and the Great Wall of China. We also went up to the Summer Palace. It was very interesting and nice.

I will pretty much try any sort of food, but I kept away from the more dodgy ones in Beijing due to the fear of food poisoning. I just stuck to chicken. I ate a lot of chicken.

The atmosphere in the room with Rooney and Steele was very good. I have gotten to know them very well, which helps me to feel comfortable and that leads me to enjoy myself leading into competitions which is always good.

I came back early from Beijing because I saw it as an opportunity to see my family and friends for four or five days up north. It's good to be back home in Middlesbrough as I have not been back in over a year.

I’m still training but I’m also using this period as a bit of down time, a bit of thinking time. I need to think through what I have achieved as an athlete. I have been around for six years and in that time I have only won one major medal. I believe I should have achieved more and want to figure out how to go about doing that.

I will be competing in Gateshead next and if it was to go remarkably well, then I will look to compete elsewhere. I am a realist and realise that when I miss four to five weeks of proper training, I am playing catch up. I am not planning to travel around the world unless I can jump 8m because that is the benchmark for world class jumping.

The sight is definitely set now on London 2012 as, like Phillips Idowu, I know I have to prove a point and show that I can be the best and an Olympic champion.