SPARE a thought for Gwent pole vaulter Tim Thomas. He's got one of the most dangerous jobs in athletics yet it's one where you can literally touch the sky.

"Not many people know, but it is an extremely dangerous sport. Your defying science, the elements and gravity all in one go. It's a massive buzz and one I really love," Newport-based Thomas confessed.

The high-rising 28-year-old is Wales' top pole vaulter and although admitting a medal is out of his reach at the Common-wealth Games, he's still looking to leave his mark with a new personal best. And that, he believes, will be enough to put him in the top-half of the final table in Manchester.

Thomas admitted: "There's some world class pole vaulters there from stronghold countries like Australia, so a medal is out of the question.

"I'm not going there just for the experience though. I'm going there to do the business and that means a personal best."

The tough-talking Welshman soared to an all-time best vault of 5.40 metres two seasons ago and at the Welsh Games earlier this month set a season's best of 5.25 metres. He's hitting form at the right time and not even a niggling Achilles injury is going to ruin his party at the City of Manchester Stadium next week.

He said: "I've been up in London just getting my Achilles looked at, It's not too much of a problem. It certainly won't stop me doing my best in Manchester.

"Training is gone really well. I've had an up-and-down season. It's been tough finding the right level of competition. I'm on the middle-tier of pole vaulting."

A key member of the Cardiff Athletics Club, Thomas has enjoyed some great successes in recent years including two appearances with the British squad that tackled the continent's best in the European Cup.

At Gateshead in 2000, he scored a crucial half-point after finishing two-places higher than expected. Britain won the cup that day and its the type of memory Thomas is hoping to add to in Manchester.

"I can't wait," he smiled. "I was so disappointed I didn't make it last time, but I've got on with it and now I'm going to do my best."