Yelena Isinbayeva pole vaulter
Born in 1982 in Volgograd, Russia, from the age of 5 to 15, Isinbayeva trained as a gymnast in her hometown of Volgograd. Unfortunately, she had to leave the sport because of her height 1.74 m (too tall to be competitive in gymnastics). However, later, Yelena Isinbayeva set 28 world records (15 outdoor and 13 indoor), staying virtually unbeaten between 2004. Elected IAAF World Athlete of the Year in 2009, Isinbayeva established herself as one of the most successful athletes of her generation. Besides, she became the first woman to clear the five-metre barrier in 2005. Meanwhile, Isinbayeva’s current world records are 5.06 m outdoors, set in Zurich in August 2009, and 5.01 m indoors, a record set in February 2012.

Yelena Isinbayeva featured in Toshiba ads promoting their entire product line in Russia. In addition, she appeared in a Lady’s Speed Stick advertisement in Russia. On 2 December 2010 she gave a speech before the FIFA delegates in Zurich. Later on that occasion it was announced that Russia will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Noteworthy, Isinbayeva is now a member of the ‘Champions for Peace’ club, a group of 54 famous elite athletes committed to serving peace in the world through sport, created by Peace and Sport, a Monaco-based international organization. For a long time athlete lived in Monte Carlo, Monaco. In March 2011, Isinbayeva decided to return to her native Volgograd, in her words, to spend more time with family and friends.

Yelena Isinbayeva pole vaulter

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