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Raise Your Game: How does it feel to achieve a personal best on your way to an Olympic Games?

Tom Parsons: It's probably the best moment of my life. I've been chasing the 2.30m target for so long. I finally got a good competition with perfect weather. The crowd were amazing, which gave me the extra lift I needed.

I was chuffed to have a good attempt at 2.33m. I was pretty close to clearing that, which is getting close to medal clearing heights. I'm really happy that it's in my body, and that I've done it at the right time.

RYG: When you've set a personal best, where do you go from there?

TP: Hopefully another personal best. I went to the World Championships last year and managed to jump a personal best, after securing the height on the last weekend of the deadline to get there.

I cut it fine again this year but there's a lot more in my body. I'll probably put one week of hard training in and let myself freshen up again.

RYG: How do you prepare for a big competition like the Olympics?

TP: My coach looks after that for me with a good training structure. Obviously I don't do anything stupid like playing football. I look after my body, get as much treatment in as possible and make sure I'm in good condition. I try and eat well and sleep well.

I'll get focused on what I want to do. The first goal is obviously to get to the final, and make sure that I'm switched on for that. I don't need to be thinking about the final before I'm in it. I'm pretty sure I can get to the final if I stay consistent.

RYG: How important is it to set yourself goals?

TP: In 2007 I finished tenth at the World Championships. I think an improvement on that would be a good start. Top eight or top six would be great. I think I'm in shape to jump 2.34m or 2.35m. 2.35m won the World Championships in 2007.

Once I'm in the final I've got to believe I can beat those guys and jump higher than them. I'm in shape to do it, so once I get to the final, I like to think I'll be going for a medal.

RYG: What advice would you give to any young people looking to be the next Tom Parsons?

TP: Don't specialise in anything too soon. Try out every sport and pick something that you really enjoy. If you're going to specialise in it you're probably going to have to do it for a long time.

I was a late developer. It took me a long time to get where I am. It's only in the last couple of years that I've started to qualify for major championships. Keep persisting with it, work hard and, most of all, enjoy it.