Svetlana FEOFANOVA shed tears of joy after winning the women's pole vault final with her first attempt at 4.75m. When Annika BECKER (GER) failed with her first attempt at 4.80m, Feofanova became world champion, with countrywoman and world record holder Yelena ISINBEYEVA third.
Feofanova failed only one jump on her way to victory, missing her first attempt at 4.70m, and passed only at 4.50m. Becker, however, passed at 4.45m, 4.55m and 4.65m then chose to raise the bar to 4.80m after missing two attempts at 4.75m. The gamble did not pay off.
It was the height of 4.60m that decided who would contest the medals as at this point, defending champion Stacey DRAGILA (USA), Monica PYREK (POL) and Yvonne BUSCHBAUM (GER)left the competition. Earlier, Russian national champion Yelena BELYAKOVA exited at 4.55m.
Becker forced a contest when she cleared 4.70m on her first attempt. Feofanova met the challenge, clearing it easily. The Russian missed her first jump at 4.75m and for the first time showed any emotion, appearing frustrated. However, she was typically calm during her second attempt, which was a new championship record. Becker's subsequent miss confirmed her victory.
During the early rounds, Isinbeyeva was sailing over the bar, suggesting the crowd may be treated to a world record. However, her first attempt at 4.70m lacked precision and she pulled out halfway through the second jump. Her post jump frustration showed that she knew how vital this miss was. She was then left with one attempt at 4.75m but could not find the form which saw her jump 4.83m in July.
Feofanova's gold follows her silver in Edmonton.
