Bernard's attempt at 2.29 was delayed because of the row

Bernard was upset with officials after first his mark was moved and then there was a misunderstanding over which height he wanted to attempt.

The row left the 21-year-old with just one attempt at 2.29m, which he failed to clear, handing gold to defending champion Mark Boswell of Canada.

"I feel a bit cheated. I feel that the judges were out of line," said Bernard.

Everyone is telling me I should be happy with silver but I feel I've been cheated Martyn Bernard

The controversy began when Boswell accidentally moved Bernard's runway marker when running in to jump.

Bernard said: "Mark ran through in his first attempt at 2.29m and tripped my marker up. When I went on my attempt, the marker was in a different position so I didn't get to the bar and I stopped.

"My time ran out so I asked the judge whether it could be taken again, they said no.

"At the second attempt I asked for the bar to be raised to 2.31m while Mark was taking his second attempt at 2.29m.

"However, they pretended they didn't hear me. My name came up at 2.29 on the scoreboard, I didn't want to jump that height so I went to the judge and said `I asked for 2.31.' She didn't say anything to me.

I'm sure he would have been happy with a silver before the competition so he shouldn't let inept officials spoil his big moment From F Have your say on Five Live

"I went back assuming that my attempt was for 2.31. However, my name stayed on the screen for 2.29. I went back again and she said 'No, I'm not going to move it.' Then there wasn't enough time.

"For my third attempt I wasn't in the right shape to jump.

"I don't feel I had a fair crack at it. Everyone is telling me I should be happy with silver but I feel I've been cheated."