Yelena Isinbaeva Official Web Site - Women’s Pole Vault World Record, Laureus 2008 World Sportswoman of the year, 2 times Olympic Champion, Russian Pole Vaulter, Yelena Isinbayeva

There’s still so much I need to accomplish in this life (Part1)

24 Nov 2008

Yesterday, on November 23rd in Monaco, the formal evening to honor the best athletes year took place – the World Athletics Gala, organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

For the third time double Olympic champion and 24-time world record-breaker Yelena Isinbaeva was recognized as the best female athlete of the year. Her performance last season: an Olympic title, victory at the winter world championships and four world records. In an exclusive interview with Natalia Maryanchik, special correspondent for the agency of sport information “All Sport”, Yelena Isinbaeva summed up her results from last season, spoke about the cost of her ceremonial dress, and explained why she doesn’t scuba dive and skydive.

– Lena, now you’re a double Olympic champion, the best athlete of the year in the world and the holder of 24 world records. Can you call yourself an absolutely happy person?

- Yes, I’m absolutely happy. And I’m still a little lucky if we talk about the Gala. Altogether, in this case, the decision didn’t depend on me as it does in the sector, but on the members of the jury.

- Along with the title of best sportswoman, you received a 100 thousand dollar prize. – I’ve spent almost all of it already – on my evening gown for the ceremony! (laughing) Well, maybe not all of it, but a substantial part. Of course, when I was choosing my apparel, deep in my heart I hoped that the expense would pay off. And see, my premonition didn’t let me down.

- Last year, your coach Vitaly Petrov was recognized as the coach of the year, but you didn’t receive the title of best sportswoman. – I wasn’t the least bit envious! Vitaly Afanasevich deserved that title 100 per cent. It’s unimportant that my own year wasn’t so good. My coach did an excellent job in any case. Well, I was named the best sportswoman in 2004 and 2005, but then I still worked with my former coach. Now it’s especially important for me to win the title again with Vitaly Afanasevich…