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CUBA
NEWS
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Powell's double joy over Pedroso failure
PARIS. 28 (AFP) - World record holder Mike Powell
had two reasons to celebrate the failure of Cuba's
Ivan Pedroso to make the final of the long jump
at the world championships.
It meant his 12-year world record stayed intact
and it also gave a chance to his protege Hussein
Taher Al-Sabee of Saudi Arabia to win a medal
in Friday's final.
"I was always nervous about my record when
Pedroso was jumping but now I can watch without
concern," said the American who saw the Cuban
four-time champion retire from the qualifying
round because of injury.
Powell broke Bob Beamon's record of 8.90m, which
had been set in 1968, in Tokyo in 1991 and described
his duel with Carl Lewis (news - web sites) on
that occasion as a "magical night."
"I think about it all the time," said
the double world champion who has been coaching
Al-Sabee for six months.
"I was blessed to have disputed the medal
with Carl Lewis and to make such a success of
the jump."
Powell believes that his record will not stand
for as long as Beamon's, which was set at altitude
at the Mexico Olympics.
"If it goes, I would rather it goes to someone
I train."
Al-Sabee, says Powell, has jumped 8.33m in competition
but "has reached 8.50m in training.
"It is possible but he has to advance in
stages. The first objective is to get into a position
to win a medal which he can do here," said
the Californian.
However, the signs are not good - Al-Sabee was
the poorest qualifier for the final with a leap
of 7.97m compared to favourite Yago Lamela, of
Spain, who registered 8.19m.
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