With a dozen women having cleared the still venerable two metres mark this year, the women's High Jump, which begins next Thursday (28 Aug), is among the most eagerly anticipated events at these 9th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Paris 2003 Saint-Denis.

With competition so stiff, defending World champion Hestrie Cloete, knows she can't take anything for granted.

"I know that the competition won't be like Edmonton because so many women have been jumping high this year," said the 24 year-old South African, whose steady improvement over the past several weeks has her arriving in Paris in optimal form.

"I'm not going to say I'm not going to win the gold, but there's still alot of water that needs to go into the sea. There have been 12 ladies who have jumped two metres this year, so anything can happen in the final."

Among that dandy dozen is world leader Kajsa Bergqvist, the two-time World Indoor Champion and bronze medallist outdoors in 2001. But the Swede, who was slowed by an achilles problem in early August, is, at least for the moment, a wildcard in Paris.

"I hope Kajsa will be ready," said Cloete, who includes Bergqvist among her closest friends on the circuit. A healthy Bergqvist, Cloete said, "Can only be good for the high jump competition, and for track & field in general."

But her chances, she says, are as good as anybody's. "I was quite consistent for the last two weeks, so I'm quite ready for worlds. There's still a week to go, but I'm feeling pretty confident."

Cloete, whow won her Edmonton title with a two meter leap, says that this year, it will take at least that high a jump to reach the podium.

In Paris, she said, "If they are lucky, two metres will give a bronze."