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Coach optimistic on Sydney start for Galfione

SI At The Olympics • Grant Wahl: Women's Soccer -- One-on-One with April Heinrichs • Brian Cazeneuve: Pinning away • Tim Layden: U.S. track coach faces tough call • Leigh Montville: A movable feast More Features • Viewers' Guide: What to watch for • Quiz: Today's Tester • Closer Look: Michael Lewis -- U.S. soccer team uses its heads Multimedia • Photo Gallery: Athletes arrive • Photo Gallery: Let the games begin • Multimedia Central: Photo Galleries, Audio and More

PARIS, Sept 8 (AFP) - France's Olympic polevault champion Jean Galfione is optimistic he will be able to defend his title in Sydney later this month and win his battle for fitness.

Last Tuesday the 29-year-old, who had surgery on a collapsed lung in May, put his chances at 70 percent and said he would only go if he felt he could clear the bar - which he has failed to do in his last three outings.

His coach Maurice Houvion said things were starting to look up for Galfione - but remained cautious.

"He has a greater chance of going than not going. Things are coming into place. Jean has been working hard and his morale is improving."

Houvion said the final decision was the athlete's alone.

"Jean alone will make the decision and I will not influence him - but in my opinion he will go to Sydney," he added.

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