What Happened to Legend Yelena Isinbaeva?

YELENA ISINBAEVA
Born: 03 Jun. 1982
Height: 1.75 m. (5 ft 9 in) 
Country: Russia

Yelena Isinbaeva, once hailed as Russia’s pole-vaulting queen, has experienced a tumultuous journey. This path has changed her from a national hero into a polarizing figure. Known for her incredible athletic accomplishments, Isinbaeva has created a complex legacy that goes beyond sports and into politics. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key highlights of Yelena Isinbaeva’s remarkable life and career.

Who is Yelena Isinbaeva?

Yelena Isinbaeva was born on June 3, 1982, in Volgograd, Russia. She is regarded as one of the greatest female athletes in history. Yelena started her athletic journey as a gymnast at the age of five. However, by 15, her height of 1.74 meters made gymnastics difficult for her. So, she made a crucial switch to pole vaulting, where she quickly found her true passion.

By 1998, Isinbaeva was already excelling in the junior circuit, winning the World Youth Games just six months after starting pole vaulting. She continued to dominate by winning titles at the 1999 World Youth Championships and the 2001 European Junior Championships. These early successes paved the way for her amazing career in pole vaulting..

What Has She Achieved?

Yelena Isinbaeva has made a significant impact on sports and is known as the greatest female pole vaulter of all time. Her impressive career includes two Olympic gold medals, which she won at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Games, along with a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

Isinbaeva’s success goes beyond the Olympics, as she has seven World Championship titles. She won outdoor championships in Helsinki (2005), Osaka (2007), and Moscow (2013), as well as indoor titles in Budapest (2004), Moscow (2006), Valencia (2008), and Istanbul (2012).

Her ability to break records is legendary. She set an outdoor world record of 5.06 meters and an indoor record of 5.01 meters, plus she holds the Olympic record of 5.05 meters from the Beijing 2008 Games. Remarkably, she broke the indoor world record 13 times and the outdoor record 17 times, becoming the first woman to clear the 5-meter mark. She is also one of the few athletes to win World Championships at youth, junior, and senior levels.

How Many Olympic Medals Has Yelena Isinbaeva Won?

Throughout her memorable career, Yelena Isinbaeva has won three Olympic medals: two gold and one bronze. She claimed her first gold at the 2004 Athens Games, where she set a new world record by clearing 4.91 meters. In 2008, she repeated this success in Beijing, surpassing her own world record with a vault of 5.05 meters. Finally, at the London 2012 Olympics, Isinbaeva secured a bronze medal after clearing 4.70 meters, finishing behind American Jennifer Suhr and Cuban Yarisley Silva.

How Many World Titles Has Yelena Isinbaeva Won in Pole Vaulting?

Yelena Isinbaeva has won seven world titles throughout her pole vaulting career.

For Outdoor World Championships:	For Indoor World Championships:
2005 (Helsinki) 2007 (Osaka) 2013 (Moscow)	2004 (Budapest) 2006 (Moscow) 2008 (Valencia) 2012 (Istanbul)

How Many World Records Has Yelena Isinbaeva Set in Pole Vaulting?

Yelena Isinbaeva has pushed the boundaries of women’s pole vaulting to extraordinary heights, having broken the world record a remarkable 28 times—15 times outdoors and 13 times indoors. She holds the current outdoor world record at 5.06 meters, achieved in Zurich on August 28, 2009, the Olympic record at 5.05 meters, set during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the World Championships record at 5.01 meters, established at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki.

Outdoor Records

Indoor Records

4.82 m (Gateshead, July 14, 2003) 4.87m (Gateshead, June 27, 2004) 4.89m (Birmingham, July 25, 2004) 4.90m (London, July 30, 2004) 4.91m (Athens, August 24, 2004) 4.92m (Brussels, September 3, 2004) 4.93m (Lausanne, July 5, 2005) 4.95m (Madrid, July 16, 2005) 4.96m (London, July 22, 2005) 5.00m (London, July 22, 2005) 5.01m (Helsinki, August 12, 2005) 5.03m (Rome, July 11, 2008) 5.04m (Monaco, July 29, 2008) 5.05m (Beijing, August 18, 2008) 5.06m (Zurich, August 28, 2009)

4.83m (Donetsk, February 15, 2004) 4.85m (Athens, February 20, 2004) 4.86m (Budapest, March 6, 2004) 4.87m (Donetsk, February 12, 2005) 4.88m (Birmingham, February 18, 2005) 4.89m (Liévin, February 26, 2005) 4.90m (Madrid, March 6, 2005) 4.91m (Donetsk, February 12, 2006) 4.93m (Donetsk, February 10, 2007) 4.95m (Donetsk, February 16, 2008) 4.97m (Donetsk, February 15, 2009) 5.00m (Donetsk, February 15, 2009) 5.01m (Stockholm, February 23, 2012)

What Was Yelena Isinbaeva’s Last World Record?

Yelena Isinbaeva set her last world record on February 23, 2012, in Stockholm. She achieved an incredible indoor pole vault of 5.01 meters, marking her 28th world record. This jump not only secured her victory but also put her 19 centimeters ahead of British athlete Holly Bleasdale.

When and Why Did Yelena Isinbaeva Retire from Pole Vaulting?

On August 19, 2016, Yelena Isinbaeva announced her retirement from professional pole vaulting during a news conference in Rio de Janeiro. Although she stepped away from competition, she made it clear that she wouldn’t be leaving the sport behind.

Isinbaeva’s decision to retire came after the IAAF banned most Russian athletes from competing in the Olympics due to a state-sponsored doping scandal, preventing her from seeking a third Olympic title. Despite this setback, she remained active by campaigning for the athletes’ representative on the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In her announcement, Yelena reflected, “Today in Rio, I am finishing my professional career. I say goodbye to the pole and to my medals, but I fulfilled my dreams.” She expressed pride in her clean record, stating, “All my tests were negative.”, “when you compete without Isinbaeva, this isn’t going to be a fully-fledged gold medal.”

Was Isinbaeva’s Military Rank Real?

Yelena Isinbaeva’s military rank of major in the Russian Armed Forces has sparked debate regarding its legitimacy. While she was officially promoted to this title in 2015, Isinbaeva later claimed that it was a ceremonial position rather than an active military role.

In the wake of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, her residence in the Canary Islands has drawn scrutiny from both supporters and critics of the Kremlin. Many accuse her of not clarifying her stance on the war, leading to speculation about her patriotism. Notably, her association with Putin and the “Putin Team” further complicates public perception.

Despite calls for sanctions from opposition groups, the IOC’s Ethics Commission found no evidence linking Isinbaeva to military or security contracts during her term. Isinbaeva herself claimed she had “never been in the service” of the Russian Armed Forces and was not affiliated with any political party. She addressed the controversy, saying, “I am a woman of the world; I have always been and I will remain one.”

In July 2023, Yelena Isinbaeva was expelled from the central committee of the Popular Front of All Russia. This extraordinary decision came after members of Putin’s electoral platform initiated a vote due to her controversial statements denying any connection with the Russian Army.

Why Is Isinbaeva’s LGBTQ+ Comments Sparked Outrage?

In August 2013, Yelena Isinbaeva ignited controversy by expressing support for Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws, which many perceived as discriminatory. She argued that these laws were essential to uphold Russian cultural values and criticized athletes who supported LGBTQ+ rights. Her comments drew significant backlash from the international community, with activists calling for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where she served as an ambassador.

Isinbaeva’s remarks came in the context of Russia’s controversial legislation banning “homosexual propaganda,” which targeted minors. She stated that foreign athletes should “respect Russian traditions,” a stance that alienated LGBTQ+ advocates worldwide. Following the backlash, she claimed her statements were misunderstood due to her English language skills, but the damage to her reputation was already done. Isinbaeva’s position on LGBTQ+ rights remains a contentious part of her legacy as the world increasingly moves towards inclusivity.

Has Yelena Isinbaeva Cut Ties with Russia?

Yelena Isinbaeva’s journey has shifted dramatically from a celebrated Russian sports icon to a more private life in Spain. Once a vocal supporter of President Vladimir Putin and a symbol of national pride, her views have changed since the Ukraine crisis began.

After her last public appearance at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Isinbaeva stepped out of the spotlight. She quickly adapted to life in Tenerife, securing Spanish residency and distancing herself from her previous affiliations. Her social media accounts transformed as well, with pro-Putin images disappearing. In a July 2022 Instagram post, she declared, “I am a citizen of the world,” expressing her commitment to peace and renouncing ties to Russian military and political entities.

However, this transition hasn’t come without challenges. While Isinbaeva embraces her new life, her past continues to draw attention. The Russian government has expressed displeasure over her shift in allegiance, even suggesting that her name be removed from honors in her home country.

Though Isinbaeva remains involved with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through the athletes’ commission, her absence from key meetings suggests a desire to keep a low profile amid ongoing controversy. As she builds her life in Spain, the true extent of her separation from Russia remains uncertain.

Who is Yelena Isinbaeva’s husband?

Yelena Isinbaeva is married to Nikita Petinov, a former professional javelin thrower. The couple has built a family together, raising their two children. Their daughter, Eva, was born on June 28, 2014, and their son, Dobrynya, followed on February 14, 2018.

Curious to see Yelena’s most stunning moments from her peak years? Don’t miss our gallery, Top 10 Most Beautiful Photos of Yelena Isinbaeva.