Yelena Isinbayeva cleared five metres to set her latest world record in the women’s pole vault on Friday at the Crystal Palace Grand Prix.
Ten minutes earlier, the 23-year-old Russian jumped 4,96m on her second attempt, surpassing the world mark of 4,95m she set last Saturday in Madrid, Spain.
The Olympic champion easily cleared five metres on her first attempt, barely nudging the bar on a still evening of 21C.
”It was my dream to be the first woman over five metres,” Isinbayeva said.
”I can’t explain my feelings. I love the run-up and the stadium here. The weather was good and the crowd was great.
”I don’t know how much higher I can go, maybe 5,05 or higher.”
It was the largest increase on the world record since Isinbayeva began setting her marks in July 2003. She wins $50 000 for the record, plus an undisclosed substantial bonus for clearing the magical five metre height.
Ukrainian pole vault legend Sergei Bubka had flown in to watch Isinbayeva’s attempt.
Bubka won the pole vault gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and was a six-time world champion. He set world records — outdoors or indoors — 35 times.
”I think she is unique,” Bubka said. ”She jumps records like I did in my time. To jump five metres is something special.
”I think she can jump higher. I want her to beat my [35 mark] record.”
Bubka’s world record is 6,14m, set in July 1994 in Sestriere, Italy. – Sapa-AP