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August 21, 2004 6:13 pm

Perez fails to advance in triple jump

By MIKE PRATER

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece - Yuliana Perez's performance was down but her spirit was up after failing to qualify for the finals in the women's Olympic triple jump Saturday night.

The former Pima Community College standout and Tucson, Ariz., native had a top qualifying mark of 44-8 1/4. It took a 47-7 3/4 to reach Monday's finals.

``It didn't work out for me tonight, but I got some experience for it and that was worth it,'' she said. ``I'm definitely coming back. I don't give up. I don't fall down. That's just me.''

Perez said she has been on a weight-lifting program the past year, a recent addition to her training regimen. That has limited her jumping ability, she said.

``I've been developing a lot this year. It set me back some, but it's going to pay off in the long run,'' she said. ``I don't have any control over my strength right now.''

The top qualifier was Hrysopiyi Devetzi of Greece, who fired up the hometown crowd in Olympic Stadium by setting a national record of 50-3 1/4 on her first jump of the night. No Americans made the final as Tiombe Hurd finished 22nd with a leap 45-10 1/2.

Perez, who scratched on her first attempt, finished in 28th in a field of 33.

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