Biography

The pole vault is a relatively new discipline for women, but Russia’s Yelena Isinbayeva is busy setting records that could stand for years.

Between the ages of five and 15 she trained as a gymnast in her hometown of Volgograd, but when she grew too tall she decided to take up athletics.

Within two years she had landed her first major gold medal, at the 1999 World Youth Championships. She improved so quickly and to such an extent that she qualified for the following year’s Olympic Games despite being just 18 years old.

In 2001 she set a world junior record – 4.46m – and in her first year as a senior (2002) won a silver medal at the European Championships. But she made her big breakthrough in 2003 – competing in Gateshead, she set a world record: 4.82m.

Yelena started 2004 in superb form and continued her run of world records. She won the World Indoor Championships before setting more outdoor world records – including a 4.91m winning vault at the Olympics.

At this point she had improved by 32cm within two years and the 5m barrier was definitely in her sights. Sure enough, at the 2005 London Grand Prix, she sailed over it – and improved by a further centimetre while winning gold at the World Championships.

Although that world record has remained untouched until July 2008, Yelena continued to dominate the event: she won the 2006 European title and the 2007 world title, and set a new world record, her 21st, earlier in 2008: 4.95m, indoors.

The summer of 2008 reinforced her dominance. On 11 July in Rome she raised her world outdoor mark to 5.03m, which turned out to be just a prelude to Beijing. There, she defended her Olympic title in glorious style, taking the record out to 5.05.

She is well on her way to matching the career of her hero, Sergey Bubka.

Interview

Q: How good at gymnastics were you?
A: I reached Master of Sport level. I don’t know whether you have it here [in the UK] but in Russia you have Master, Master of Sport and Super Master. So I was in the middle. Not bad.

Q: Why did you decide to take up the pole vault?
A: It happened by accident. My coach from gymnastics offered me the chance to try it.

Q: Did you have a sporting idol?
A: No. And I still don’t. Everyone is an individual. Everyone must be themselves.

Q: Is it true that you like fast cars?
A: I like speed. If I am in a car, of course, I drive it fast but carefully.

Q: What cars do you own?
A: I have one private car: a Lexus IS 250.

Q: Is it true that you collect small model dolphins?
A: Yes, I collect anything to do with dolphins. They are special, very sensitive.

Q: In 2007 you won a share [$500,000] of the IAAF Golden League jackpot. How did that feel?
A: Great. It was very difficult to win because I knew I couldn’t afford to lose any of the competitions. I did not spend the money on myself. I went to an orphanage in Volgograd, my hometown, gave them a pen and some paper and asked them to write down three things that they would like to have.

Q: Who has been your toughest rival?
A: Me. The most difficult thing is to beat yourself. I know I can jump higher than five metres. But if I could jump it in every competition I would be forever unbeatable.

Q: You are a member of the IAAF Athletes’ Commission. If you could change one thing about the sport what would it be?
A: We don’t have to change too many things. But I would love to build more sporting facilities in cultures and countries that don’t have them, just to make kids love the sport.

Q: What would be your perfect day of relaxation?
A: To lie down on a beach in the sun in some foreign place with my close friends and family and do nothing. Where? The Maldives. I’ve seen the pictures but I’ve never been.

Q: How much higher do you think you can vault?
A: I don’t know my limit. I just try to jump as high as possible. But I hope it will be more than 5.01m. My goal is to set more world records than Sergey [Bubka] did. He set 35; I have set 21. I still have the time and the opportunity to do it.




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Latest Comments:
PK06/07/2008 04:28:53
Quality lady.Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
katerina18/08/2008 20:42:07
she is stronger and intelligent she likes herself and believe that she will do everything...Good motivation Yelena!!!!Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
Gevaert23/08/2008 21:23:51
She's amazing! love her!Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
alice sayles24/08/2008 18:24:30
What an inspiration! Hope she breaks Sergey Bubka's 35 record!Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
vicky28/08/2008 21:13:10
she's simply the best !! she can't stop and it's great !! i like her very much because she's a real queen of Pole Vault !! love to Yelena Isinbayeva !!Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
Steph13/09/2008 12:26:55
Incredible Woman. I am a pole Vaulter, well i've only jus ecentl took it up, and i am in the Under 17 age group. I can't clear a very big height at the moment due to being injured (still under 2m) but one day i hope to get high like Yelena! Shes a true star!Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
Tony15/09/2008 11:33:20
Physically beautiful, powerful athlete who still manages to retain her femininity. Long may she continue to participate in her chosen sport. Thank you Yelena.Offensive? Unsuitable? Email us
 
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Facts

Born:
Jun 03, 1982
Place of Birth:
Volgograd
Coach:
Vitaly Petrov
Key Achievements:
2008: Olympic Games (Gold) WR 5.05m

2008: World Indoor Championships (Gold) WR 4.95m

2007: World Championships (Gold)

2006: World Indoor Championships (Gold)

2006: European Championships (Gold)

2005: World Championships (Gold) WR 5.01m

2004: Olympic Games (Gold)

2004: World Indoor Championships (Gold)

Behind the star

Yelena is formerly a member of the Russian Army, with the rank of senior lieutenant...

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