Idowu plays down Beijing chances

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Idowu produced three world-class leaps, with his best of 17.75 metres smashing the British record previously held by Jonathan Edwards and eight centimetres shy of the world record.

"Obviously this sets me up very well going into the outdoor season," said the 29-year-old Londoner. "I think there's still a few people who didn't come out to these championships who must be considered also (for the Olympics). I like to be in the background until it's absolutely necessary."

But Idowu admitted he felt before coming to Valencia he was in the kind of form that would see him win the title and even smash the 11-year-old world record of Cuba's Aliecer Urrutia.

"The aim when I came here was to get the world indoor record and now I have to move forward," said Idowu, winner of £20,000 in prize money.

"I wanted to see what sort of shape I was in after four or five months hard winter work and obviously it's a very good one."

Jenny Meadows, an outsider for an 800m medal, fell off the pace in a slow tactical race and had to settle for fifth position.

Mo Farah also lost contact in the 3,000m when Tariku Bekele took charge of the race in the last 600m and the British athlete had to settle for sixth place.

The men's 4x400m relay squad, who went into the final as a fastest loser, were never in the hunt, finishing fifth as the USA dominated the contest.