Thompson battling fitness for Beijing

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Two months ago long jumper Bronwyn Thompson flippantly believed she would waltz into Beijing and launch herself 7m-plus to grab the Olympic medal she narrowly missed in 2004.

The Commonwealth Games champion had the experience, the pedigree and solid training behind her to justify the confidence she would become the first Australian woman to make the Olympic podium in the event.

But, as has been the case several times throughout her undulating career, Thompson suffered an injury setback which almost derailed her Games swansong.

The 30-year-old jarred her pelvis and lower back which resulted in groin and hamstring problems.

In a bid to ensure she could still break the Russian stranglehold of the event, Thompson had a cortisone injection through an epidural.

The injury and decrease in training load certainly hasn't aided the Brisbane physiotherapist but she heads to Europe on Sunday still believing her dream is alive.

"I haven't lost that dream just yet," she said two months out from the long jump final in Beijing.

"If I can get that solid and consistent block of training there's no reason why I can't make the podium."

Thompson went dangerously close in Athens, jumping 6.96m in the final to finish fourth behind three Russians who she has all since beaten in international competition.

The bittersweet experience still drives her today.

"Back in 2004 it was `Right, I'm not going to walk away from this sport with just a fourth'," she said.

"Knowing you are that close it is a good motivation to go that one step further, or three.

"I had two really solid months training in March-April and at that stage I just thought I was going to waltz into Beijing and pick up my medal and walk back out but I had a little bump at the end of April and I'm having to work hard through that."

Thompson, who jumped 6.67m at the national titles in March, will aim for 6.80m in Europe over the next month before returning home to prepare for the Games in Brisbane.

"It will be really tough and you will have to be jumping over 7m if you want to get a medal," she said.

"Long jump is a really interesting event, and pole vault is much the same. Anyone can come out and have a fabulous competition and anyone can come out and have a terrible competition.

"It's very unpredictable.

"Me personally, I have the experience to compete in a major competition, I certainly have the speed, coaching support, sports science support, medical support, to make sure I'm in great shape by the time I get there.

"It's definitely possible."