Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva - Pole Vault World champion (© Getty Images)
Olympic, World and European Pole Vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva will return to the Golden Spike in Ostrava, the eighth IAAF Grand Prix status meeting on the the IAAF World Athletics Tour.
In her last appearance at this meeting, Isinbayeva finished third with a 4.52 clearance at the 2003 edition, but has since become the event’s biggest star.
“I am happy to come back and hope that I will be able to produce something special that will be remembered for a long time,” said the two-time World Athlete of the Year who was recently named the Laureus World Sportswoman of 2006.
Her appearance in Ostrava will be her second competition of the 2007 season, following her debut at Oslo’s Bislett Games on 15 June where she’ll begin her chase for a slice of the $1 million IAAF Golden League Jackpot.
While Isinbayeva has come to dominate her event, she insists that that there are no guarantees in sport as she sets out to defend her World title while chasing the Jackpot.
“I know I did not lose too many competitions in recent years and chances to get the jackpot are good. But you never know, in sport all is possible, but I will try to do my best. Second part of the (Golden League) series after Osaka in September in a short period of time will be very tough.”
Progress in training
Isinbayeva said she has concluded her early season training regimen, one focused specifically on strength and power, and the results have been quite favourable.
“Now I am already in the technical work,” she said, “but still without poles,. That will come later. But I can tell you my results are better than last year at this time.”
Her record smashing success – 20 global standards to date – has led to World record expectations with each of her outings, and she seems to relish that pressure.
“No, it is not too much pressure. Actually it is good, because I train to be better and to attack the World records. It shows that people are trusting me that I can break the records.”
The meet record in Ostrava is 4.83, set by American Stacy Dragila in 2003. Those ever-present expectations will certainly result in an assault on that mark, and perhaps even her 5.01 World record set at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki.
“Everything is possible,” she said. I want definitely try my best possible result on that day.”
The 46th edition of the Golden Spike will again be a two-day affair, with the men’s and women’s Hammer Throw competition given centre stage on Tuesday, 26 June, and the main event the following day.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
