 He first emerged as a talented jumper in 1990 when he cleared 2.25 (7 ft 4 inches) at a British national meet in Gateshead.In 1991 he improved to 2.29, and then had his "breakout" year in 1992, improving his best by an astonishing 8 centimetres.He qualified for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and reached the finals, finishing in 12th place with a disappointing height of only 2.24.