Show time for Phillips Idowu the 'Invisible Man'

The time has come for the Invisible Man to stand up and be counted. More importantly, for his hopping, stepping and jumping to be counted.

It is nine weeks now since Phillips Idowu was last seen in competitive action, landing awkwardly during the triple jump competition at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene. Come 10.45am today, though, the Hackney man will be putting his fitness on the line in the qualifying round of his event in the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

The big question is whether the 2009 world champion will be in good enough shape to make it through to Thursday's final. Only he knows the likely answer to that, having sought his own treatment and missed the British team holding camp at Monte Gordo in Portugal.

Three weeks ago Idowu insisted he was fit and warmed up for the London Grand Prix meeting at Crystal Palace but withdraw at the last minute, complaining of a hip problem. Last week Charles van Commenee, head coach of the British team, said that the Belgrave Harrier had cut contact with his own coach, Aston Moore.

However, the British Olympic Association confirmed yesterday that Idowu had arrived in the athletes' village. "He's set to compete," a BOA spokesman said. "All is good."