Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor is looking to break Jonathan Edwards' 21-year world record when he takes part in this weekend's Anniversary Games.
The Diamond League event gives Taylor the chance to compete again in the Olympic Stadium where he won his gold medal at London 2012 thanks to a jump of 17.81 metres. He holds the stadium record but has turned his sights to breaking Edwards' unsurpassed long-standing leap of 18.29m which he set at the 1995 World Championships.
Taylor's personal best is 18.21m and hopes a combination of the crowd and the familiar surroundings will propel him to set a new world record.
"I'm always talking about the energy and the crowd and how much that fuels me," Taylor said. "Then you get the clapping and support behind you, it feels like an extra boost. Fingers crossed if it stays dry I think it's possible [to break the record].
"Every time I touch the track, that's my mind set -- I'm going for that world record. Why not do it on Mr Edwards' soil?
"I enjoy putting on a show and this is why I always leave it to the sixth jump. Last year [at Beijing World Championships] I would have loved to have taken it but maybe now his [Edwards] heart is pumping a little bit. He sees what's there, the potential.
"The 20-year anniversary would've been a nice statement but there's also [World Championships] London 2017. I'm not saying I am going to wait another year but if it happens, it happens. I am going after it every single time."
After this weekend's event in London, Taylor's attention will shift to the Rio Games. He heads there with a target on his back as the reigning champion and admits that brings with it "added pressure". Pressure has been something he has had to battle this year and the vigorous trials to book his spot in Team USA did throw him a little.
"It was something I maybe underestimated. I think the nerves maybe got to me. I was a little bit out of my element," Taylor admitted. "I was working on a documentary called 'Road to Rio', and there was a chance I might not make it. So little things like that were playing in my head but God was good and I made the team. Now I am back in my element."
It is a frame of mind that he hopes will guide him to another gold medal and a world record.
"Now [that I'm in the squad] I feel I can get back to being myself and the fun mentality. That's what I love. I play in the sand, that's my job.
"That's why I smile and that's why I'm constantly thanking everyone who's helped me realise my dream."