By David Martin, PA Sport

Will Jonathan Edwards be around to defend his Olympic triple jump title in Athens next year - or will he be there as a commentator for the BBC?

When asked the question recently the world record holder gave his usual response: "I haven't as yet ruled out going all the way through to Athens in 2004. If I do, that definitely will be the end."

Edwards is looking forward to defending his World Championships title in Paris later this month.

Some say it might be a bridge too far for Edwards, who is chasing a third gold medal on the world stage.

Edwards, whose world-record leap of 18.29 metres gave him his first World crown eight years ago in Gothenburg, is inclined to disagree.

He points to his one and only competition this summer. Although beaten by Christian Olsson, tipped as his successor, Edwards left the Gateshead Super Grand Prix, brimming with confidence.

"Did you see one of my no-jumps?" asked Edwards. "It was definitely 18 metres or further, and I only marginally fouled."

Edwards is a true competitor who hates to lose - but his 17.61m mark for second place at the north-east venue saw him chuckling when leaving his home training track.

"I have to be happy with such a wonderful clearance in my very first meeting this summer," said Edwards. "Because of illness, I've missed quite a bit of training.

"But clearly, the system is still ticking over and I have to believe in myself - and that 18 metres is still a possibility.

"Gateshead clearly showed I'm in that shape, and hopefully it is the kind of form I will take to Paris."

Edwards admits Olsson, who beat him for last summer's European title and the World Indoor gold medal in March, currently holds the upperhand. But it does not worry the Gateshead Harrier.

"He's the man in form - and the best of luck to him," said Edwards. "But like in every other event, it's what happens on the day.

"How many times have I been struggling then suddenly, everything has come together with my technique and I've landed a whopper.

"I'm not getting any younger and there's no way I would be going to the World Championships unless I felt I was in shape."

Having missed valuable training, Edwards said pulling out of the championships had been a possibility - but not because he was frightened of losing.

"Don't get me wrong," said Edwards. "When I stand on the end of the runway ready to jump I just don't want to look an idiot.

"Like everyone else I can only do that with the right preparation so there is also a certain amount of pride that keeps me motivated to train."

Edwards does admit that dragging himself to the track, particularly during the winter, can be a chore.

The devout Christian said: "My religion is still a big factor in my motivation. As long as I am an athlete I have the responsibility to God to do it to the very best of my ability.

"Now because I'm getting towards the end of my career if you like, that sense of vocation that I have always had is probably less keenly felt.

"But that's inevitable, because my focus is beginning to change."

Reflecting on his summer season in 2002 when he produced the biggest leap in the world of 17.86m and headed the global merit rankings for a seventh successive year, Edwards has no reason not to carry on.

"I have had plenty of ups and downs in my career," he said. "Look at Munich. Just when everybody thought I couldn't lose, I did.

"In a way it's quite nice now because my loss bore further witness to just how fragile success can be.

"But why carry on? On my day I don't think anybody can jump as far as me. But even given that belief, since winning the Olympics the pressure is off me.

"I must recognise that I can still have a bad day - although that is not on my agenda for Paris."