THE WEEK AHEAD

WHAT TO WATCH AND WATCH FOR BY JULIA MORRILL

FRIDAY

27

OLYMPIC TRACK AND FIELD NBC 8 PM > Dogged by doping rumors, Marion Jones attempts to better her 2000 bronze medal performance in the long jump--an event she's won at the indoor nationals four times. And 110-meter hurdler Allen Johnson tries to replicate his '96 gold medal. • COURT DATE: Jury selection begins for Kobe Bryant's trial.

SATURDAY

28

USC VS. VIRGINIA TECH ESPN 7:45 PM > The top-ranked Trojans open against the Hokies, who went 6--0 last season before limping home with a 2--5 finish. • GIANTS AT BRAVES FOX 1 PM > Barry Bonds comes to Atlanta just 62 homers behind Braves senior vice president Hank Aaron on the career list.

SUNDAY

29

OLYMPIC MEN'S MARATHON NBC 10 AM > Runners cover roughly the same route Greek messenger Phidippides took to Athens after the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. The closing ceremonies follow. • LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES FINAL ABC 6:30 PM > After 17,000 games in six weeks, the field is down to two.

MONDAY

30

TITANS AT COWBOYS ABC 8 PM > Eddie George faces Tennessee for the first time since the Titans released him in July. Says George, "All this bull, whatever they've got to say about me, all that will be answered." • U.S. OPEN FIRST ROUND USA 11 AM > Andy Roddick, who was ousted quickly in Athens, returns to defend his title.

TUESDAY

31

HOCKEY WORLD CUP, CANADA VS. U.S. ESPN2 7 PM >

A work stoppage is looming, so the World Cup--which runs through Sept. 14--could be your last chance to see the NHL's best for a while. In Montreal, Canada will rely on goalie José Théodore to shut down the defending champs.

WEDNESDAY

1

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE DEBATE CHAMPIONSHIP CSTV 8 PM > A documentary about the quest for the Larmon Trophy, college debate's top prize. Dubbed by one competitor as "Top Gun for geeks," the contest features debaters who speak 400 words per minute--four times faster than the rest of us.

THURSDAY

2

REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL HBO 8 PM > One segment profiles motocross whiz James (Bubba) Stewart Jr., who was named by SI as the 89th most influential minority in sports. On Sunday the 18-year-old from Florida wrapped up his second AMA championship in three years.

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MICHAEL SOHN/AP (JONES)

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BETTMAN/CORBIS (AARON)

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AFP/GETTY IMAGES (STATUE)

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STEPHEN DUNN/GETTY IMAGES (GEORGE)

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ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES (HOCKEY PLAYER)

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GETTY IMAGES (NIXON)

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GETTY IMAGES (KENNEDY)

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DIANE MOORE/ICON SMI (MOTOCROSS)