Isi wants to set unbreakable record, still wants to act

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Russian pole vault champ aims to set unbreakable record
By Patwant Singh | Posted: 23 August 2010 1622 hrs

Russian pole vault champ aims to set unbreakable record

SINGAPORE: She can clear a height of more than five metres, is strongly-built and pretty.

No we are not talking about "Wonder Woman", but Russian wonder athlete, Yelena Isinbayeva.

The double Olympic champion, who is in Singapore for the Youth Olympic Games, said she plans to set a pole vault record that no one will be able to break.

Twenty-eight-year-old Yelena Isinbayeva is one of three IOC Ambassadors for the Youth Olympics.

And she feels the Games are very relevant to the young athletes.

"It's an amazing event, it was a nice idea and the right idea to provide Youth Olympic Games. It will help to encourage youth all around the world into the sport," she said.

Away from the Games, the 1.74 metre tall Russian, who holds the world record of 5.06 metres in pole vault(outdoor), wants to up the ante.

"I will try my best and try to set up a world record that no one could beat in the future - never, never. I would only want to beat my own record. Well, I think 5m20, 5m30 will be enough, forever," she said.

While in Singapore, the international face of Chinese sportswear company Li Ning, also graced an event where the company donated $200,000 to the Singapore Disability Sports Council's badminton programme.

On a personal level Isinsbayeva said she would like to continue being involved in sports after retiring, like doing administration or working for the International Olympic Committee.

Interestingly, the Russian star athlete is also keen to pursue a career in acting and is open to offers from Hollywood.

But unlike another popular Russian athlete Maria Sharapova, Isinbayeva said she wants to continue living in Russia.

-CNA/wk