New York’s Russian diaspora prepares to greet Queen Y

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=37419.html

New York’s Russian diaspora prepares to greet Queen Yelena
Tuesday 30 January 2007
New York, USA - With the 100th edition of Millrose Games taking place this Friday 2 February, the ‘Big Apple’ is starting to buzz about this distinguished track & field event. Don’t be surprised if this year the cacophony of the crowd at Madison Square Garden is a little heavy on rolled R’s.

The Russians aren’t just coming any more. They have arrived in full force – to the tune of over a million immigrants in the tri-state area alone – and they are prepared to roll out the red carpet for one more, World, Olympic and European champion and World record holder in the women’s Pole Vault Yelena Isinbayeva.




Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia celebrates breaking the Pole Vault World record
(Getty Images)

RussianNY.com, a popular virtual hub for younger Russian-speaking New Yorkers seeking news and entertainment updates, was the first to catch the wave of Isinbayeva’s looming arrival. Earlier this month, many of the website’s 11,000 plus daily visitors were surprised to find Millrose Games details in the Events section usually dominated by nightclub soirees, classical music concerts and Russian pop divas’ shows.

The response to the listing was so overwhelming that over the past weekend an expanded news story presented marquee entrants, such as Reese Hoffa, Gail Devers and Maurice Greene, as well as information about the anticipated highlights of the meet like the Wanamaker Mile in the men’s programme and the 3000m and the Pole Vault in the women’s. The illustrating graphics: a picture of Isinbayeva raising her arms and clenching her fists after a successful World record attempt, Russian flag waving in the background.

The meet’s organizers quickly embraced the trend. In conjunction with Isinbayeva’s upcoming visit, they offered a special discount to all members of the Russian-speaking community who mention a special code word while ordering their Millrose tickets, a move that has both pleased and amused many. As one of the DJs on Radio VSE – the first-ever Russian FM station in the U.S. – playfully quipped last week, “never before has referring to my birthplace given me so much equity!â€Â

[BruceFlorman]

I tell ya, I'm gonna be bitterly disappointed ... but not necessarily surprised ... if I wind up coming away without her autograph on Friday.

[polevaulter08nw]

how many times have you tried to get it?

[BruceFlorman]

Well ... this will be the first. But considering how often she's been here in the US before now (i.e. never), and Petrov's kvetching about the inconvenience of the trip, this may be my only realistic opportunity.

[polevaulter08nw]

well get em' then. haha good luck to ya! how many autographs are you going to try tto get if more than just one.