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Russia's Elena Isinbaeva poses for
photos with her new world record after the women's pole vault final at the
National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008
Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Isinbaeva claimed the
title in the event and set a new world record. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>> |
BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Pole vault tsarina Elena
Isinbaeva on Monday evening cleared the new world record of 5.05 meters, winning
her second Olympic gold medal almost with no efforts.
With only two successful jumps, the defending Olympic
gold medalist and world champion secured the gold. On the fifth attempt, she
broke the Olympic record which was created by herself four years ago in Athens.
The 26-year-old pole vaulter eventually overcame her 24th world record of 5.05
meters.
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Elena Isinbaeva of Russia celebrates
during the women's pole vault final at the National Stadium, also known as
the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug.
18, 2008. Isinbaeva claimed the title in the event and set a new world
record. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>> |
Isinbaeva said, "I was trying to do my best for the
crowd. It makes me happy, so happy. I felt that I could not go out without the
world record because of the support the crowd gave me. I remember my feelings
from Athens and I wanted to feel that again."
Although she said everyone's confidence of her
victory put a lot of pressure on her, the Russian jumper believed she would soon
clear 5.10 meters.
"The sky is my only limit," she said. "Life would be
boring without records to break so I want to continue on forever."
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Elena Isinbaeva of Russia competes
during the women's pole vault final at the National Stadium, also known as
the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug.
18, 2008. Isinbaeva took a overwhelming victory in the match. (Xinhua
Photo) Photo
Gallery>>> |
Isinbaeva murmured before each attempt, she decoded
the murmuring, "Do it, do it, just do it. Just be confident, I'm OK."
"I'm just trying to find some motivation from
inside," she said.
Isinbaeva's closest follower, Jennifer Stuczynski of
the United States, who jumped over 4.80 meters, got the silver medal. The
American's personal best in 2008 was 4.92 meters.
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Elena Isinbaeva of Russia competes
during the women's pole vault final at the National Stadium, also known as
the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug.
18, 2008. Isinbaeva claimed the title in the event and set a new world
record. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>> |
Another Russian Svetlana Feofanova, has long vaulted
in Isinbaeva's shadow, finished third with 4.75 meters.
Stuczynski said, "To come to your first Olympics and
get a medal, a silver nonetheless, is great. I'm comfortable with the silver
medal. However, I jumped so many times and didn't take some time to have a rest.
This is why I got tired and failed to achieve a better result."
Feofanova said, "I can really jump 4.80 (meters), but
I had some problems and didn't manage it. I was stronger in Athens, physically.
Here, I was lost mentally because my results were not as good."
Since taking home the Athens Olympic gold in 2004,
Isinbaeva has dominated the pole vault jump, including two world record-breaking
jumps in 2008 with 5.03 meters in Rome and then 5.04 meters in Monaco.
During her complete reigning in the field, she also
added the gold medals from the 2005 and 2007 world championships and the 2006
European championships.