SLUG: 2-307017 Paris 2003-Day ninth preview (L-only) DATE: NOTE NUMBER:

DATE=AUGUST 30, 2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PARIS 2003 - DAY 9 PREVIEW (L-only)

NUMBER=2-307017

BYLINE=STEVE SCHY

DATELINE=PARIS

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The final day of the competition at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in France will be a busy one, with gold medals up for grabs in nine different events. As V-O-A's Steve Schy reports, the team sprint relays will share the spot light with finals including the women's marathon, 15-hundred meters and high jump, and the men's five thousand meters.

TEXT: Team U-S-A will be doing its best to finish the championships in style on Day Nine, as the men's four-by-100 and four-by-400 and the women's four-by-400-meter relay teams all have realistic chances of earning gold medals.

Another American with her eye on the podium Sunday is high -jumper Amy Acuff. But she knows it will not be easy.

// ACUFF ACT //

It is going to take me passing some lower heights and taking some real risks. Because as my meets have been going, I've been worn out by the time I get to that height and I don't have any energy left. But I know I can clear those heights with the clearances I've been getting on my lower heights.

// END ACT //

Women will also go for the gold in the marathon, and 15-hundred meters, while the men will try for medals in the javelin, 800- and five thousand meters. (SIGNED)

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