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20:38 16.09.2007 – Light Athletics – Sixth stage of the Golden League of light athletics-2007
Yelena Isinbaeva: I will give part of my half million dollars to the needy children of Volgograd
Today, September 16th, the European, world and Olympic Games champion, world record holder in the women’s pole vault, Russia’s Yelena Isinbaeva won the sixth "Golden League" stage in Berlin - and she became co-winner of the 1 million dollar jackpot. After appearing at the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart on September 22-23 she will receive 500 thousand dollars for her bank account – as will the American Sanya Richards, who also won all six "Golden League" stages in the 400 meters. After her historic victory Yelena Isinbaeva gave an exclusive interview to the special correspondent of the Agency of sport information "All Sport" in Berlin, Natalia Maryanchik.

- Lena, were you very nervous when you came to the stadium?
- About like for the final of the Olympic Games! There was a lot of responsibility. I knew that I simply had no right to lose, so this comparison seems correct to me. Certainly I don’t have a right to lose at any tournament where I participate, but when it’s the last remaining start, just one attempt – it’s a lot of pressure. At the start of the "Golden League" I didn’t feel this pressure, but the responsibility built up ahead of the last appearance.

- And your happiness after this victory is comparable with winning the Olympic gold?
- Probably happiness is always the same. I get enormous joy from victory, from my latest victory, which I achieve just through my own labor. Now if somewhere I’d brushed the bar on a third attempt, you could say I was lucky. But today I took all the heights, except for the record, on my first attempt. Yes, I surpassed all my rivals, but first of all I overcame myself.

- Today, actually for the first time in the last three "Golden League" stages, you cleared all the heights from on the first attempt. Was the reason added motivation?
- Everything worked out in my jumps, especially in my technique. Of course my running was poor, because I was literally losing strength with every step. I tried to get it together though and somehow overcome the height. As you see, I got it together!

- Was a world record realistic at the conclusion of the "Golden League"?
- Yes, completely. Today my attempts at 5.02 were quite encouraging. So I’ll try to establish a world record next week at the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart! After that I have two more Asian tournaments remaining – in Shanghai and Daegu. I don’t know about Shanghai, but I was in Daegu last year and the fans there are just crazy! In a good sense of word, of course.

- Two starts in three days – was this a lot for you?
- I already have similar experiences of jumping after one day, so I know it’s possible. It was physically difficult, but I had faith in my victory to the end.

- Meanwhile Svetlana Feofanova jumps higher and higher with every start. Did you really have no doubt at all about your victory?
- Well, "higher and higher" for Feofanova – this is relative. She already jumped 4.72 three years ago. I generally don’t watch my rivals, not a bit. I concentrate on myself, and their results absolutely don’t bother me. I know, no matter how high they jump, I’ll still jump higher.

- And when Sanya Richards ran in the 400 m, what were your thoughts?
- Right then I was preparing for my second attempt at the world record, but I watched Sanya out of the corner of my eye. In principle, I was certain that Sanya would win, because like me, she has no rivals. When just one tournament remains, you get really worked up. I know this for myself, so I didn’t even consider the possibility that Sanya would lose. I was just expecting half the jackpot. But of course it’s good that there are only two of us! (laughing)

- What will you do with the half million dollars?
- I really want to help the needy children at home, in Volgograd. I don’t know how I’ll do this, who I’ll turn to, but I’ll absolutely have a talk with my managers, and we’ll devise something. God commands sharing and I want to share my joy with the kids, for whom this is actually essential.

- But surely you will also allow something special for yourself?
- I don’t think so. I’ll look after my future, and possibly the future of my children. I’ll make serious investments, since I no longer want to be bothered with trifles.

- What’s on your program for this evening?
- So far I don’t really know, but we’ll think of something! Plenty of rest is on the program! If it works out, I’d enjoy going to a discotheque or club! My primary tournaments are already behind me, with exception of Stuttgart, so maybe I can relax a little.

- This is the first time the women’s pole vault was included in the program for the "Golden League". Were you pleased?
- Last year I participated in two tournaments of the series – in Oslo and Brussels – where the pole vault was in the rank of an exhibition event. And this time, of course I was pleased! True, it was stressful; the responsibility is completely different in comparison with normal starts. Earlier I didn’t fully appreciate how much so. It was especially great here in Berlin. I love to compete in large stadiums, with the support of the spectators, and today there were 70 thousand of them in the stands! Probably this is the best stadium of all six in the "Golden League".

- When do you expect to be home, in Russia?
- In the middle of October. I’ll stay a month with my family at home in Volgograd. I just want to catch up on my sleep and do nothing; to bask in the sun and visit with my friends and family.