Galfione plans pole vault defence

Paris: Frenchman Jean Galfione intends to defend his Olympic pole vault title after undergoing lung surgery earlier this year.

"Jean is recovering well. He had a good training session on Friday and an excellent one on Saturday," his coach Maurice Houvion said on Monday.

Galfione had an operation for pneumothorax in May and his Games hopes were put in doubt as he struggled to regain his form. Sore heels have been his latest setback.

The Frenchman had three disappointing outings at meetings in Brussels, Berlin and Rieti, Italy, where he failed to clear 5.20 metres. His personal best outdoors is 5.98.

Galfione is scheduled to leave for Sydney on Wednesday and will rest for one week before preparing for his event.

He qualified for the Olympics by clearing 5.75 during a training session in July.

(c) Reuters Limited.