Yelena Isinbayeva

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva are the leading contenders for the IAAF athlete of the year awards. Bolt set three world records last year at the Beijing Olympics and broke two of those marks — in the 100 and 200 meters — in August at the world championships in Berlin. Isinbayeva broke her own world record by clearing 5.06 meters at the Weltklasse meet in Zurich in August. Her performance beat the mark of 5.05 she cleared at the Beijing Games a year earlier. Kenenisa Bekele, Tyson Gay, Steven Hooker and Andreas Thorkildsen are also in the running, as ... Read Full Story

On the last day of the Golden League season, the Van Damme Memorial will see Yelena Isinbayeva, Kenenisa Bekele and Sanya Richards compete for the $1 million jackpot. The prize goes to anyone who wins all six of the premier European meets. If more than one contender remains perfect by Friday night, the pot will be divided accordingly. The race for the jackpot will have to make up for missing out on the anticipated showdown between Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay in the 100 meters. It was supposed to be the only rematch of the world championship final, where the Jamaican set a world ... Read Full Story

Russian pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva said she was hoping to brush aside bitter memories of her failure at the world championships with a successful performance at the remaining top events this year. "I feel dissatisfaction at my failure at the world championships," Isinbayeva told reporters on Thursday. "That failure stimulates me to reach new heights. I want to completely erase all memories of that disappointment. "There are three major events, including the Grand Prix final, left this season. And I really want to perform at my top there to finish the year with pleasant memories." The two-time Olympic champion repeated her wish that ... Read Full Story

Russian pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva, the double Olympic champion and world record holder, has been awarded Spain's prestigious Prince of Asturias prize for sport, the jury announced on Wednesday. "Considered the best pole-vaulter of all times, Yelena Isinbayeva has achieved historic records and has become the only female pole vaulter ever to clear the 5.00 metre barrier, setting a total of 27 world records in this sport," the jury said. The 27-year-old set a world record of 5.06m at a meeting in Zurich last week, bettering her own mark of 5.05m set when she won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. The ... Read Full Story

Great admiration and respect I have for Yelena Isinbayeva, and my heart rejoices knowing that she keeps on breaking records and with her positive attitude and beautiful smile keeps on making this world a better place to live. Isinbayeva awarded Spanish prize 8:36AM Thursday Sep 03, 2009 MADRID - Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva has been awarded one of Spain's prestigious Prince of Asturias prizes in recognition of her determination to excel in the sport. Prize organisers say the 27-year-old Isinbayeva was chosen for the 2009 Asturias sports award "not just because of her exemplary life and work but because she has set new ... Read Full Story