Forgotten medallist Johnson gets ready to remind people

Jade Johnson was preparing for another major long jump final today, still believing she has the ability to regain her position as one of British athletics' biggest stars.

The 28-year-old Herne Hill Harrier became a poster girl after winning silver in the long jump at both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships six years ago, but her star has since faded after injuries and inconsistent performances and her lottery funding was taken away last year.

Yet though Johnson ended up furious with herself for making such heavy weather of reaching today's final in the Bird's Nest Stadium, scraping in by just 2cm with her last attempt, she is confident that she can upset the form book.

She said: "Maybe on Wednesday, I might end up happy because I've reached another big final and anything can happen. I've done the work, I've trained really well and I'm in great shape. As long as I get that into my head I'm sure I'll be all right."

Sweden were hoping their poor Games would again be rescued by Carolina Kluft, who gave up her heptathlon title to gamble on the long jump. And she will take some beating after a 6.70m leap in qualifying. Meanwhile, Daniel Awde's steep decathlon learning curve continued as a disappointing discus throw of 37.12m saw the Hammersmith lad drop five places to 29th overall after seven event.

The 20-year-old, who's gaining valuable experience before the 2012 London Olympics, had started the second day well, recording 14.69sec for the sprint hurdles to lift him two places from his overnight 26th place.

But though he was loving the experience, the event was clearly taking its toll on him. "I'm as tired as hell," he said. "I was woken up this morning by my alarm and thought 'Bloody hell, what's that noise?'."

America's former world champion in the event Bryan Clay extended his lead after the discus to 283pts.