Posted: February 26, 2005

Athletics: Isinbayeva Again: 4.89 WR In Lievin

By Bob Ramsak, Track Profile

(c) 2004 Track Profile all rights reserved TrackProfile.com

For the third time in as many competitions this winter, Yelena Isinbayeva broke the world indoor record in the pole vault, jumping 4.89 [16-0.5] at the Meeting Gaz de France tonight in Lievin, France.

The 22-year-old Russian sailed over the bar on her first attempt, with perhaps five centimeters to spare to notch the 12th world record of her career. After a miss at her opening height of 4.60 [15-1], Isinbayeva, the reigning Olympic champion, cleared 4.70 [15-5] and 4.80 [15-9] on her first attempt before adding a centimeter to her previous record set just eight days ago. But unlike after her record performances in Donetsk, Ukraine on 12-February and Birmingham, GBR on 18-February, Isinbayeva continued to jump, requesting the bar be raised to 5.05 [16-6.75]. In her one effort at the height, the highest-ever attempt in women's competition, she displayed plenty of height before coming down on the bar.

Isinbayeva earned a 15,000 euro [US$ 19,800] bonus for the record. She is scheduled to conclude her indoor season at the European Indoor Championships next weekend in Madrid.

Behind her, Monica Pyrek of Poland continued to build her consistency, reaching 4.70 for the fourth time in her last four competitions. her third attempt at 4.80 was a solid effort, but she skimmed the bar on the way down.

Elsewhere, Ladji Doucoure scored an upset win over American Allen Johnson in the 60 meter hurdles, wining in 7.43, the fastest performance in the world this year and a French national record. Even through the first two hurdles, Dacoure built a narrow margin over the third hurdle --one that Johnson hit hard-- and ran away unchallenged. Johnson was second in 7.49, his fastest clocking of the season.

American Leonard Scott beat a classy field in the 60 meter dash with a commanding 6.46 personal best. Never challenged, the 25-year-old Scott followed up his win in Birmingham last weekend to end his indoor season on a high note. Olympic 100 meter bronze medallist Maurice Greene, the world record holder in the event (6.39 in 1998 and 2001), was a distant second in 6.55.

Frenchman Ronald Pognon, who clocked a European record 6.45 two weeks ago, couldn't overcome a sluggish start and fnished third in 6.56. Olympic long jump champion Dwight Phillips, who ran to a surprising 6.47 win in Madrid on Thursday, was never in the chase here, finishing fourth in 6.60.

Christine Arron of France, the European record holder in the 100 meters, took an impressive victory in the women's 60 meters, clocking 7.10, the second fastest performance of the year, boding well for the Frenchwoman for next weekend's continental championships. Arron capped the competition with a win in the 200 meters in 22.69, also the second fastest clocking of the year. The world leader in both events is Olympic 200 meter champion Veronica Campbell of Jamaica (7.09 and 22.38).

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