Heel injury fails to stop Bernard jumping into final

Four years ago Bernard flew home from the same event in Gothenburg disgusted with his qualifying performance in Sweden as he failed to make the final after a below-par showing of just 2.23m.

The 25-year-old insists he's a different jumper all-together in 2010 – final appearances at both a World Championship and Olympic Games point towards that – and his showing in Spain last night illustrated his ability to challenge Europe's best for medals tomorrow night.

It was far from plain sailing for Bernard in qualification though as he failed with his first attempt at 2.19m, before needing a nerve-jangling third attempt at 2.23m – which left the bar rocking.

Having arrived in Barcelona with a bruised heel Bernard limped back to his seat after clearing 2.26m at the second attempt – but by that stage it was job done with the Wakefield Harrier assured of his spot in the final.

"It was frustrating that I had to keep taking attempts to get over the bar but I got in the final and that's the main thing," said Bernard. "There were a few things I was getting wrong and I had to keep adjusting my run up and my take off to try and put it right.

"It's a bit frustrating but these things happen sometimes. My heel is really bruised at the moment and that wasn't helping me – I was in pain while I was jumping. It hurts when I take off but I just had to get on with it and try not to let it concern me.

"Hopefully for the final I'll be alright – I'll rest it up and maybe get a bit of treatment and then see what happens in the final."

Bernard revealed that, despite his scratchy qualification, his opening appearance in Barcelona had thus far gone to plan.

"I said before I got here that getting through the qualifying round was really important," he added. "High-jump finals can be quite unpredictable and you never quite know what is going to happen. So it was always important to get into the final and give yourself the best chance."

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