Croydon long jumper Elliot Safo is looking for Turkish delight to put a foul start to the season behind him at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Trabzon.

The 17-year-old is part of a 64-strong British team heading out to the event which will bring together more than 3,000 competitors from 48 countries when it begins on Saturday.

But it almost didn’t happen for him thanks to a season marred with no jumps that meant he missed the qualification distance of 7.25m.

He earned a reprieve though for jumping a wind-assisted 7.27m in Bedford last month and now he insists he will be firing on all cylinders when he takes on the best Europe has to offer.

"I have been doing so many no jumps this season that it has really hit my confidence," said the Croydon Harrier.

"So I have spent my training preparation time really working on my run-up to try to get over that problem.

"My jumping is fine, but the no jumps have been holding me back and made it difficult to qualify for Turkey.

"The training is going really well now though, so I feel a lot more confident and think I can really produce my best out there.

"I have been competing a lot this season chasing the qualifying distance for this event, but I will be ready."

Safo, who is fitting his athletics around a hectic academic schedule, is relishing the opportunity to travel for not only his first appearance in GB colours, but also his first competition abroad.

"I really cannot wait to get out there," added the Trinity School pupil.

"I am quite nervous but I just want to go out there and enjoy the occasion, and hopefully get a personal best.

"I think I am in with a chance of getting into the top three, but my first aim has to be to get to the final and then I can take it from there.

"It came as a bit of a shock when I found out I had been picked in the team because of the way it has been going trying to qualify.

"But it was a great relief, this has been the event I have been trying to qualify for all season, so I am so happy to be going.

"I missed the World Youth Games in Lille, but all my focus is on this."

Lloyds TSB is a Proud Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Official Supporter of Team GB on their journey to the European Youth Olympic Festival. Visit lloydstsb.com/london2012