Isi decides to retire in 2013

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... AD96LS7NO0

Isinbayeva sets 2013 retirement; signs new deal
By STEPHEN WADE – 2 hours ago
BEIJING (AP) — Yelena Isinbayeva, the two-time Olympic pole vault champion and world record-holder, plans to compete for five more years before retiring in 2013.
The Russian spelled out her intentions Monday after signing a long-term, multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with Chinese sportswear manufacturer Li Ning. Terms were not disclosed, but her agent Daniel Wessfeldt said it was worth "a couple of million" a year.
"I will be old then," the 26-year-old Isinbayeva said of 2013.
She said she chose 2013 because it is the year Moscow will hold the world athletics championships. She said she expects to compete at this summer's world championships in Berlin and the 2012 London Olympics.
Isinbayeva has broken the world indoor and outdoor pole vault record 26 times. She set the outdoor mark of 16 feet, 5 inches at last year's Beijing Olympics. Last month, she raised the indoor mark to 16 feet, 4 inches at a meet in Donetsk, Ukraine.
Isinbayeva said she expects to push the record much higher in the five years leading up to her retirement.
"I think it's possible to jump 5.20 (meters) and even 5.30. It all depends on my health, my personal condition," she said. "Of course, I can't know if I will achieve it or not."
Isinbayeva signed with Li Ning after her contract with Adidas expired at the end of 2008. Wessfeldt said Li Ning pursued her aggressively and hopes to capitalize on her popularity in Asia.
"It was not only the money issue, it was more that you feel you have so much behind you — enthusiasm, a team for developing new shoes and being involved in the process," he said. "And there is no reason to change if it is not a better deal on the ground as well."
Wessfeldt said the deal with the Chinese company also opened the door for contracts with other China-based companies.
"This would not happen in Germany (with Adidas) or in the States if it was Nike," he said.

[rainbowgirl28]

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldOfSp ... 02?sp=true

Isinbayeva will retire after 2013 world championships
Mon Mar 2, 2009 6:11pm IST

By Liu Zhen

BEIJING (Reuters) - Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva wants to retire after the 2013 world championships in Moscow.

"I plan to finish there in front of my home crowd and I plan to succeed there," the world record holder from Russia said on Monday. "I will retire after 2013."

Isinbayeva, who vaulted 5.05 metres in last year's Olympics, said she could go as high as 5.30 before she quit.

"My bar must be higher than 5.20 ... and 5.30 is possible. I will try to achieve this," she told a news conference in Beijing where she captured her second successive Olympic gold medal.

"Technically there is no problem."

Last month the 26-year-old vaulted 5.00 in Donetsk, Ukraine, her 12th indoor world record and 26th in total.

Chinese sportswear retailer Li Ning confirmed last week that Isinbayeva had signed a sponsorship deal with the company.

No details on the size or length of the contract were available but sources earlier told Reuters it would be worth $1.5 million annually for five years, a record amount for a track and field athlete.

Li Ning was founded by the 1984 Olympic triple gymnastics gold medallist who last August lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games.

Isinbayeva, the 2008 female athlete of the year, plans to defend her world title in Berlin in August.

[slvr1969]

[url]http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/li-ning-innovation-helps-pole-vault/story.aspx?guid={92D212B4-5D29-4E1F-ACBA-9DEEA737D0CD}&dist=msr_8[/url]


PRESS RELEASE
LI-NING Innovation Helps Pole Vault Queen to Write Skyline
--Li Ning Company Limited Signs an Agreement with Elena Isinbaeva Formally

Last update: 9:06 a.m. EST March 2, 2009
BEIJING, March 2, 2009 /PRNewswire-Asia via COMTEX/ -- On March 2, 2009, Elena Isinbaeva, the Russian pole vaulter who was the Olympic gold medalist in 2004 and 2008, the nominee of IAAF female athlete of the year for three times and 26 time world record breaker, formally signed an agreement with LI-NING and became one of the most dazzling stars among the rich international sports resources of LI-NING. By relying on its professional product design and R&D capabilities, Li Ning Company Limited will also tailor-make top-notch competition and training gear for Isinbaeva, help her to clear new heights in competitions going forward and translate the concept of "Anything is Possible": with one after another new world record.
The venue of the press conference was gracefully decorated with the slogan "Sky, no limit for me". At 15:00 sharp, under the cheerful hurrah of all those present, Isinbaeva took off the mysterious mask under the accompaniment of a dazzling laser dance with a sweet smile on her face. The appearance of the pole vault queen raised the atmosphere to a high level immediately. Mr. Fang Shiwei, the chief market officer of Li Ning Company Limited, expressed the warmest welcome to Isinbaeva on behalf of the company. Meanwhile, General Manager for Footwear Division and the USA design team of Li Ning also briefed Li Ning's capabilities in product innovation and R&D. With the all-round support and heavy R&D input of Li Ning, Isinbaeva is sure to obtain more brilliant results in the competition arena.
Isinbaeva also brought a surprise to all. When being asked her new target, Isinbaeva showed her ideal height to all through the electronic display screen: "Anything is Possible". Just as what is proved by Isinbaeva's performance in the competition arena, there's no limit to a dream chaser and the ever- changing next height is the dream of the No. 1 star in international women's track and field events. She said: "The biggest challenge in each competition is to defeat myself. I believe that I can step up myself, and "Anything is Possible" in the process of challenging new height. I want to encourage the others with my own performance and let them feel the essence of the spirit of "Anything is Possible." The perfect coincidence between Isinbaeva and Li Ning spirit inspired every one. Mr. Li Ning also presented a gift to Isinbaeva-a kite with traditional Chinese features. Kite represents flying and the courage of challenging the skyline. Isinbaeva presented her competition number card to Mr. Li Ning, implying that the past brilliance is only a milestone in the sports career and she would join hands with Li Ning Company Limited to challenge new heights. The perfect gift exchange boosted the site atmosphere to a climax.
Mr. Fang Shiwei, the chief market officer of Li Ning Company Limited, was full of confidence in the cooperation with Isinbaeva: "Isinbaeva represents the highest level in the current world track and field circle. She will become the nucleus of Li Ning's international sports resources together with such noted athletes as O'Neal, Baron Davis, Ljubicic, and such international teams as Spain National Basketball Team and the Argentinean National Basketball Team. More than that, the cooperation will promote Li Ning's R&D capabilities to escalate to a new height and Li Ning's level in serving the athletes will also be raised all around. As a result, Li Ning's step of internationalization will be accelerated."
Isinbaeva also looked forward to the cooperation with LI-NING: "I like this oriental brand which is marching towards the international market and has occupied an important position in the international competition arena. I believe that Li Ning Company Limited will create the most perfect products for me, assisting me to get more prominent performance."
Presently, the international layout of LI-NING has covered outstanding athletes or sports teams on all continents across the globe. With the accession of Isinbaeva, the rise of LI-NING in international track and field event will come soon. With the support of high-tech and professional sports gears, Isinbaeva, as well as other outstanding athletes under Li Ning Company Limited, is sure to write new records and exceed new limits.
SOURCE Li-Ning Company Limited

Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

[slvr1969]

http://www.russiatoday.com/v/2009-03-02/isinbaeva_2000.flv