LONDON, July 25 Reuters - Russia’s Yelena Isinbayeva broke the women’s pole vault world record again today, clearing 4.89 metres at an international meeting in Birmingham.
Isinbayeva bettered the mark of 4.88 metres set by her compatriot Svetlana Feofanova in Crete on July 4 despite being hampered by a strong cross wind at the Alexander Stadium.
England is a lucky country for me,'' Isinbayeva told the BBC. I have set three world records here because the crowd is very good. They help me to vault higher.’’
Isinbayeva cleared the height at her first attempt to earn a $US50,000 bonus offered by the sponsors for world records.
Isinbayeva and Feofanova will do battle at the Athens Olympics with defending champion American Stacy Dragila, who was third with a vault of 4.57 behind Feofanova’s 4.69.
On the track world 100 metres champion Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis took the headlines as he prepares to challenge for the gold medal at next month’s Athens Olympics.
Collins was fast out of the blocks and powered away to win in 10.10 seconds ahead of Briton Mark Lewis-Francis (10.27) and world 200 metres champion American John Capel (10.28).
Jamaican Asafa Powell won the men’s 200 metres in 20.28 seconds, ahead of American Joshua Johnson, but said he was not sure if he would run both the 100 and 200 at the Olympics.
I'm feeling confident and my training is going well. I have a great chance of winning a medal at the Olympics,'' he said. American-born 400 metre runner Malachi Davis, who was controversially granted a British passport just three days before the Olympic trials in Manchester earlier this month, finished a disappointing sixth in the 400 metres. Davis, who has been included in Britain's Olympic squad, was making his first appearance in a British vest and said he was proud to wear it. The 26-year-old, whose mother was born in London, said he had been welcomed by his team mates. He struggled in lane eight, completing the lap in 46.84, behind Commonwealth champion Michael Blackwood, who won in 46.08. I love Great Britain and I’m looking forward to the Olympics and representing the country,’’ he told the BBC. ``I’ve been embraced well by my team mates and the coaches.’’
American world champion Allen Johnson enjoyed a comfortable victory in the men’s 110 metres hurdles, eclipsing Jamaica’s Maurice Wignall and compatriot Duane Ross, who beat him at the U.S. trials.
Jamaica dominated the women’s events on the track with Aleen Bailey winning the 100 metres in 11.04 seconds, ahead of team mate Debbie Ferguson (11.15).
Jamaican Allison Beckford won the 400 metres in 51.85, ahead of Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu (52.14).
The international meeting matched Great Britain against the United States, Commonwealth Select and European Select teams.