Thaindian News

Moscow, June 30 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Pole vault world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva said Saturday she is 90 percent ready to compete at the London Olympics next month after rediscovering her love for the sport.

Isinbayeva set a new indoor world record of 5 metres 1 centimetre in Stockholm in February, her first record since 2009 following a spell marked by injury and disappointing results.

“At the moment, I’m 90 percent ready,” she said, adding that she still had to “make some corrections”.

“I’m confident that I’ll have enough time to prepare.”

The Russian’s charge to retain her 2008 Olympic title follows a time in which she fell out of love with pole vaulting for a while, Isinbayeva said.

“I really had some problems with motivation some time ago. But then I realized how many great things I’ve done and still can do.”

“Now I take pleasure from training. I train twice a day. I run, I jump, I do gymnastics.”

Isinbayeva is focusing the full force of her new-found self-belief on winning the gold medal in London, she said.

“It’s my main aim. I’ll do everything possible and impossible to win.”

Her challengers for the pole vault title include Britain’s Holly Bleasdale, who secured her place at the Olympics Sunday.

Isinbayeva has said previously she will retire in 2013 after Moscow hosts the athletics world championships.

Her world outdoor record stands at 5 metres 6 centimetres, set in 2009.

–IANS/RIA Novosti
sr/vm