'I want to vault for many years' - Yelena Isinbayeva

Yelena Isinbayeva is the queen of pole vault. The Russian won the gold medal in Beijing with a World Record jump of 5.05 metres, her 24th record in all. On Monday, she was voted as the Athlete of the Year, along with Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. And Isinbayeva is not done yet. She intends to compete until the 2012 Olympics. She spoke to Joe Williams in an exclusive interview, soon after receiving her award in Monte Carlo

The first World Record you set was on July 13, 2003. 23 more have followed since. Which one of those did you enjoy the most?
Every World Record and gold medal in major championships has been great. Of course, the first record is special but also my first jump over 5 metres was very special for me.

Svetlana Feofanova has been your main opponent. After you broke her record (4.87m) in Gateshead in 2004, she bounced back the following week to reclaim the record. How do you view her as a rival?
There is no main opponent. Everyone who is in the competition is there to jump as high as possible.

How important is the competition to you? Do you monitor your rivals’ performances? Does it help motivate you to perform better?
I don’t think about the other jumpers when I compete. I just focus on myself and jump as high as possible. What others do, does not affect me.

In 2005 in London, you became the first woman pole vaulter to clear 5m, achieving the mark with a single attempt. How did that feel?
I was so happy! Clearing 5 metres has always been one of my main goals. That day, after I cleared the 4.96m, I felt that I could do it. I was so happy when it happened.

You’ve set 24 World Records (14 outdoors and 10 indoors). Is Sergi Bubka’s record of 35 World Records your target now?
I take each competition at a time. We will see what happens…

Your technique, especially the second part of your jump, is better than even the men pole vaulters. What is it that you do differently?
I have a great coach in Vitaly Petrov and I am very dedicated to what I do.

Has your gymnastics background helped you in any way in your success?
Everything that I have done in the past is behind what I do today. I think doing gymnastics as a young girl has been very good because you learn a lot about how to control your body and also how to get a strong body.

In the Russian club competitions, you represent the Railroad Military team and were recently promoted to the rank of captain. Will you serve the military after your athletics career?
Right now I only want to focus on my athletics career. I do not want to think about what to do after my career just as yet because I hope to pole vault for many many years to come.

How important is discipline in being a perfect sportsperson?
It is very important. You need to be extremely disciplined to succeed, I think, in all sports.

You are such an icon around the world. What is your message to young athletes?
Try many different sports when you are young and soon you will find ‘your’ sport. Make sure to have fun but also be disciplined and focus on what you are doing.