Pole vaulter Isinbayeva wins French meet
Submitted by Rajiv Dhoot on Wed, 07/11/2012 - 11:34.
Paris, July 11 - Pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva insists winning her first outdoor competition of the year at a European Athletics Outdoor Premium Meeting in France trumps clearing a relatively modest height.
The 30-year-old Russian posted an unconvincing 4.75 meter jump that rattled the bar, missing her next attempts at 4.85 meters, which would have been a world-leading mark.
It was still enough to beat Britain's Holly Bleasdale and Poland's Anna Rogowska into second and third place, respectively, at Tuesday's meet in the French town of Sotteville les Rouen.
"I'm so happy that I got the victory, that's the most important, the good results will come later," said Isinbayeva, who set a new indoor record of 5.01 meters in Stockholm in February, in comments to the IAAF website.
Gunning for her third-successive Olympic gold in London, Isinbayeva has shortened her preparation period for the Games, citing the difficulties of maintaining peak condition for an athlete of her age over a long period of time.
She has said she intends to take part in a Diamond League meet in Monaco July 20, a week before the start of the Games.(IANS)
Fortaleza (Brazil), June 19 - Brazil forward Hulk insists he is unaffected by jeers from the stands and has vowed to win over the hearts and minds of Brazilian supporters during the Confederations Cup. 
Jerusalem, June 19 : Spain retained the 2013 UEFA U-21 soccer championship beating Italy 4-2 here at the Teddy Stadium.
Cardiff, June 19 : Former captain Sanath Jayasuriya said Sri Lanka will target the Indian bowlers during the Champions Trophy semifinal slated for Thursday at the Sophia Gardens here. 
London, June 19 : England opted to field against South Africa in the first semifinal of the Champions Trophy at the Kennington Oval here Wednesday. 
Misano (Italy), June 17 : Both Mahindra Racing riders Andrea Locatelli and Michael Rinaldi performed well in Rounds 5 and 6 of the CIV Moto3 which concluded at the Misano World Circuit here. 
Noumea (New Caledonia), June 15 : Gaurav Gill (co-driver Glenn Macneall) took a commanding 12-minute lead for the MRF Tyres Rally team after Day 1 of the Rally of New Caledonia, the second round of the