Pinnock targets long jump gold medal

PARIS, France:

World Championship silver medallist Wayne Pinnock knows how close he came to securing Jamaica's second World long jump title last year in Budapest, Hungary. He has not forgotten the sight of reigning world champion Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece pipping him to the line on his final attempt.

So for his Olympic debut, Pinnock is determined to solve the Tentoglou puzzle. And he has purposefully included his national teammates Carey McLeod and former world champion Tajay Gayle in that mission. mmm

"He is a pretty good competitor. He knows how to compete. Since Budapest I have been learning a little bit about him, taken some notes. But for sure, we need to get him this time," Pinnock said.

Pinnock secured his first major championship medal, a silver in that Budapest final, with Gayle finishing third, and McLeod rounding out the top four. It was the first time that Jamaica had three finishers in the top four of a men's long jump final.

Pinnock believes that a Jamaican podium sweep is possible.

"That is the aim. That is what we aim for and I think we can for sure get that. We are all talented jumpers. And we are going to work together as a country," Pinnock said.

Pinnock is the third best jumper in the world this year with a mark of 8.40m, set in March. He is focused to not be snake bitten twice, hoping this time to set the tempo for his other Jamaican teammates to follow.

"I'm not trying to lose by two centimetres or more (again). I just need to get one in the bag and let the field chase," Pinnock said. "The mindset is just to be confident in taking one jump and getting ready for the next round. It's just to stay calm and it's just the execution."