Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia celebrates breaking the Pole Vault World record (© Getty Images)
Brussels, BelgiumSince embarking on her unassailable domination of the women’s Pole Vault, Yelena Isinbayeva has repeatedly said that her chief competition is herself, the weather, and the bar. But now the 23-year-old Russian star has added another item to that list: her own growing expectations and those of the fans she lures to stadiums.
“I would like to do my best tomorrow (in Brussels at the TDK Golden League meeting), to make the crowd happy, and hopefully have a new World record,” she said, clearly indicating that she has as her target the 5.01 World record she set in Helsinki while claiming her first World senior championship. “Because I can’t just win. I need to make a new World record.”
Last year, she followed up her Olympic victory with a 4.92 World record here, a mark she was unable to improve upon at the season-ending World Athletics Final, despite the $100,000 bonus on offer. But in 2005, she has upped the record in all but two of her competitions. And with the sizable clearance margins she’s displayed, it’s virtually taken for granted that with Isinbayeva competing, anything less than a World record is a bitter disappointment.
She said that the pressure is mounting, but isn’t particularly bothered by it.
“In Greece (Rethymno, 10 July), when I just won the competition, I jumped I think 4.70, and when I went back to Russia they were all asking, ‘Oh Yelena, you didn’t jump the world record. How is that possible? To just win means nothing for you.’ They always expect from me a new World record.”
“But me too,” she added. “I expect a new World record too. If I just win without a new World record, I will feel disappointed. Yes, a little bit. But I will try of course.”
Last year, she danced after the competition, barely restraining her zestful enthusiasm, when Belgian crooner Helmut Lotti sang the Russian national anthem. Weather-permitting, she’s expecting to do another dance on the podium again this year.
“Now I feel good. I tried to keep my form after Helsinki, and I will just try to do my best. I will try because I feel the power in myself.”
The inevitable question she’s always asked is how high she can ultimately go. But she refuses to set limits, and says that the only certainty in her mind is that she hasn’t reached any personal barriers. Next year, she’ll switch to longer 460cm poles, up from the 450cm poles she uses now.
“If the change will be good for me, I think that I can go 10 to 15 centimetres higher.”
With hefty appearance fees, countless World record bonuses and domestic promotions, Isinbayeva has earned quite a bit of money as the world’s premiere vaulter. But she says, she’s not spending most if it.
“I just keep it in the bank,” she said. There’s only one item on her shopping list this year: an upgrade to the BMW X5 from her current X3. “It’s a very expensive car,” she said.
Friday’s 50,000USD World record bonus could be a nice down payment.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
