Russian leaps to pole vaulting history

Reuters

UP AND OVER: Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbaeva on her way to winning the pole vault and becoming the first woman to win back-to-back gold medals in the event.

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Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbaeva last night broke her own world record again clearing 5.05 metres at the Bird's Nest stadium.

She became the first female pole vaulter to win back to back gold medals.

She has now set three world records in her five outdoor outings since the start of July and is the only woman to have ever soared over the five-metre mark.

Isinbaeva sent the Bird's Nest stadium roaring when she jumped an Olympic record to win gold but the cry was even louder when she broke the world record.

She hadn't missed a height but her attempt at the Olympic record gave her some trouble. It was on her third and final attempt Isebeyieva cleared 4.95m and then went to challenge her own world record of 5.05m.

In between jumps the Russian would bury herself under a doona to try and compose herself - that trick proved to be a record breaker.

- © Fairfax NZ News