Long jumper Tomlinson looking to leap into medal contention after all-clear

The 26-year-old British record holder has undergone around the clock medical treatment since injuring himself at the London Grand Prix on July 26.

Tomlinson initially thought his injury to be no more than a bad attack of cramp but tests later revealed it was a torn calf muscle, meaning he had to delay his departure to the British Olympic Association preparation camp in Macau a fortnight ago.

Bad time: Chris Tomlinson suffers his injury in London but he has now been passed fit for the Olympics

But now Tomlinson, who placed fifth at the 2004 Athens Olympics, is aiming to get enough practice under his belt before his long jump qualifying round takes place on Saturday night.

'I'm heading straight out to Beijing, so there will be no hanging around and I'm looking to forward to getting into it,' said Tomlinson, who was considered a strong medal chance before his setback.

Tomlinson, who was treated by UK Athletics staff at the British Olympic Medical Institute in London, added: 'I'd like to thank the medical staff for all their work against all the odds to get me to Beijing.

'I have been watching the Games, and it's looking good so far. The last two weeks have been a bit funny, feeling that there was only a slim chance of me competing in Beijing, but I was just trying to focus my mental energy on getting fit.'

Dave Collins, UKA's performance director, was delighted another medal hopeful will take his place in the British team.

'Chris has spent the last two weeks undergoing an intensive rehabilitation programme at Lee Valley and the Olympic Medical Institute and it's paid off,' said Collins.

'Chris and the UKA medical team have worked tirelessly to ensure he can get on the flight to Beijing and join the rest of the team ahead of his competition on Saturday.

'It's not been ideal preparation in terms of acclimatising to the conditions and the time zone, but the important thing is that he's fit and ready to compete.'