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CU Steve Smith
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GV Crowds at track meeting
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GV Top view Smith clearing bar as crowd look on (2 shots)
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MV Pan Smith clearing again
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GV Smith clearing again
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GVs & SVs Smith competing (voice over) (3)
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GVs Smith with pole as crowd look on
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SCU Smith signing autographs
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CU (same shot) Smith signing autographs
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SMITH: "This pole works. I was hoping to jump a little higher but my legs were just tired. I've been sick like I said, and I just haven't been able to work out properly. I haven't been able to vault for over a month.



I should be able to vault 18 feet 6 inches easily."




Initials SC/1612 SC/1634



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Rising athletics star Steve Smith has built up a big following on the professional circuit int he United States as he makes a determined assault on the world pole vaulting record.

Smith made athletics history on two nights last month, when -- within the space of 24 hours -- he twice beat the indoor record, becoming the first and only man to clear 18 feet indoors. Now he's out to smash Bob Seagren's outdoor record of 18 ft. 5 3/4 inches.

His first indoor record came during a meeting in Salt Lake City. Smith brought the crowd to its feet when he cleared 18 ft. 1 inch without a failure. But he failed when he tried for 18 ft. 6 inches -- in an attempt to beat Seagren's record.

The following night, at Pocatello, Idaho, he increased his new indoor mark by a further three-quarters of an inch. Smith jumps with the aid of a special pole designed jointly by himself and his engineer father.

Coverage includes a fragmentary commentary by Television News Inc. reporter R. Stein -- an alternative appears overleaf -- and two brief comments from Smith.

SYNOPSIS: Centre of attention on the professional track circuit in the United States is rising pole vault star Steve Smith. Just off his sick bed, he delighted crowds in Salt Lake City last month by mounting a determined assault on the world indoor record. Since he comes from an engineering family, Smith designed his own vaulting pole with the help of his engineer father.

The new pole paid off handsomely. Smith became the first man to clear eighteen feet indoors, setting a new world indoor mark of eighteen feet one inch. When back in full training, he reckoned he could go higher.

The following night, competing in Pocatello, Idaho, Smith was to increase his world mark by another three-quarters of an inch.

If he can clear eighteen feet six Smith will have the satisfaction of bettering the world outdoor record held by Bob Seagran.