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2008 Olympic Games Beijing - Women's Pole vault

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Details: Parent Category: Olympic Games (Athletics); Category: 2008 Olympic Games Beijing - (Athletics); Last Updated: 22 June 2019; Hits: 294

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Host City: Beijing, China

Format: Top 12 and ties and all those clearing 4.60 metres advanced to the final.

Date Started: August 16, 2008

Date Finished: August 18, 2008

(Competitors: 36; Countries: 24; Finalists: 12)

Venue(s): Beijing National Stadium, Beijing

Overview by IAAF

Having improved her 2005 world record of 5.01 twice during July up to 5.04, Isinbaeva was an even more prohibitive favourite than she had been four years earlier. The advancing standards in the event were evidenced by the fact that all 12 finalists cleared at least 4.50 in the qualifying round. Just nine women had managed that height across the previous two games. With the bar at 4.65, there were still 11 vaulters left in the competition. Isinbaeva waited until 4.70 to take her first vault, and her firsttime success ensured fourth place at worst. At 4.75, Feofanova took the lead with a first-time clearance, ahead of the successful second jumps of Stuczynski and Golubchikova. After Stuczynski made 4.80 and the other Russians were eliminated, it was a duel between the American and Isinbaeva, who then went over 4.85. Passing that height, Stuczynski finally bowed out at 4.90, and Isinbaeva broke her own Olympic record with 4.95 at the final attempt. Then at 9:22, just over two hours into the competition, Isinbaeva took her final jump at 5.05. To the delight of the crowd and herself, she flew over the bar cleanly to set her 14th world record outdoors (and 25th overall). In doing so Isinbaeva became the first athlete to win consecutive individual gold medals with world records, though Frank Wykoff did the same thing three times in the sprint relay.

Summary by Sports-reference.com

Yelena Isinbayeva was an overwhelming favorite in the women’s pole vault and she did not disappoint. The Russian defending champion and 2005 and 2007 World Champion had also set the last 11 world records, starting in 2004, with her last two coming earlier in 2008. American Jenn Stuczynski was the second choice but Isinbayeva would likely have to no height for her to win. Stuczynski did not think so, stating after the Olympics Trials, “I hope we do some damage and, you know, kick some Russian butt.” Isi heard the comment and it only served to rev her up. Isinbayeva opened with a first-vault clearance at 4.70 (15-5). Stuczynski led after clearing 4.80 (15-9), and was the only other vaulter left, as Is passed to 4.85 (15-11). The two then played a game of cat-and-mouse passing, as Stuczynski passed that height. She jumped at 4.90 (16-0¾), at which the Russian passed, but went out after three misses. Isinbayeva now had the gold medal but she was not done. She cleared 4.95 (16-2¾) on her third try and then had the bar moved to the world record height of 5.05 (16-6¾). She needed three attempts but got over the bar for her 12th outdoor world record.

			Results

Women's Pole Vault - FINAL For the second straight Olympic Games, Yelena Isinbayeva set a new World record in the Pole Vault. Sending the capacity crowd at National Stadium into a frenzy, the Russian defended her title with a leap of 5.05m, adding a centimetre to her own 5.04m record set last month at the Herculis Super Grand Prix in Monaco. “I was trying to do my best for the crowd,” said the 26-year-old after setting her 24th world mark. “I felt that I could not go without a world record because of the support the crowd gave me.” Success came on her third attempt, although her second was reasonably close as well. The majority of the half dozen other competitors who remained in the competition were already struggling when Isinbayeva opened at 4.70m, a massive clearance by some 30cm that clearly illustrated that a World record would be a possibility. She had already clinched the gold with her second jump, a clean effort at 4.85m. Next came an assault on her four-year-old Olympic record of 4.91m, which she managed on her third try at 4.95m. “I remembered my feelings from Athens and I wanted to feel that again.” As has become the norm, Isinbayeva whiled away her time lying on the grass near the runway, a cap and towel covering her face, seemingly oblivious to the dramatic competition unfolding in the background. Here at Olympic Stadium, she even broke that routine to stand for four national anthems that accompanied the awards ceremonies for the men’s 10,000m, the women’s Discus Throw, men’s 3000m steeplechase, and women’s 800m. Isinabayeva is now a dozen records shy of overtaking men’s Pole Vault legend World record haul of 35, and she reiterated that she’ll keeping going until she gets there. “Yes, I will do it. I have just 12 more to go. Life would be boring without records to break.” According to script, American record holder Jenn Stuczynski took the silver, topping out at 4.80m. Opening at 4.55m, she also cleared 4.70m on her first try, needed a second at 4.75m before going over 4.80m on her first to clinch the silver. At 4.90m, her first go was reasonably close, her second less so. Isinbayeva was asked about the American’s comments earlier in the summer that she would beat her at the Olympic Games. “You saw tonight what happened,” Isinbayeva said. “Sometimes people talk too much.” 4.75m was enough for silver four years ago; here it was needed to strike bronze. Athens silver medallist Svetlana Feofanova left herself in medal contention with a first attempt success while her Russian teammate Yuliya Golubchikova needed a pair of tries before going clear, adding two centimetres to her personal best. 4.80m though was well beyond the reach of each. Monika Pyrek, who looked good in the early going, bowed out at that height, after a pair of misses and a run-through to eliminate herself from the medal chase. Pre-meet medal favourite Fabiana Murer of Brazil, who upped her career best to 4.80m this summer, made an early exit, though the blame wasn’t apparently her own. After sailing over her 4.45m opener, she realized that the pole she needed for her next height, 4.55m, was missing. After a delay of several minutes, her search went in vain and she chose to skip the height, expending considerable energy in the process. Also making an unexpected early departure was defending bronze medallist Anna Rogowska, who after clearing her opening 4.45m, found 4.55m too much to handle. Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
Isinbayeva Again! 5.05m World Pole Vault record in Beijing BeijingFor the second straight Olympic Games, Yelena Isinbayeva set a new World record in the Pole Vault. Sending the capacity crowd at National Stadium into a frenzy, the Russian defended her title with a leap of 5.05m, adding a centimetre to her own 5.04m record set last month at the Herculis Super Grand Prix in Monaco. “I was trying to do my best for the crowd,” said the 26-year-old after setting her 24th world mark. “I felt that I could not go without a world record because of the support the crowd gave me.” Success came on her third attempt, although her second was reasonably close as well. The majority of the half dozen other competitors who remained in the competition were already struggling when Isinbayeva opened at 4.70m, a massive clearance by some 30cm that clearly illustrated that a World record would be a possibility. She had already clinched the gold with her second jump, a clean effort at 4.85m. Next came an assault on her four-year-old Olympic record of 4.91m, which she managed on her third try at 4.95m. “I remembered my feelings from Athens and I wanted to feel that again.” As has become the norm, Isinbayeva whiled away her time lying on the grass near the runway, a cap and towel covering her face, seemingly oblivious to the dramatic competition unfolding in the background. Here at Olympic Stadium, she even broke that routine to stand for four national anthems that accompanied the awards ceremonies for the men’s 10,000m, the women’s Discus Throw, men’s 3000m steeplechase, and women’s 800m. Isinabayeva is now a dozen records shy of overtaking men’s Pole Vault legend World record haul of 35, and she reiterated that she’ll keeping going until she gets there. “Yes, I will do it. I have just 12 more to go. Life would be boring without records to break.” According to script, American record holder Jenn Stuczynski took the silver, topping out at 4.80m. Opening at 4.55m, she also cleared 4.70m on her first try, needed a second at 4.75m before going over 4.80m on her first to clinch the silver. At 4.90m, her first go was reasonably close, her second less so. Isinbayeva was asked about the American’s comments earlier in the summer that she would beat her at the Olympic Games. “You saw tonight what happened,” Isinbayeva said. “Sometimes people talk too much.” 4.75m was enough for silver four years ago; here it was needed to strike bronze. Athens silver medallist Svetlana Feofanova left herself in medal contention with a first attempt success while her Russian teammate Yuliya Golubchikova needed a pair of tries before going clear, adding two centimetres to her personal best. 4.80m though was well beyond the reach of each. Monika Pyrek, who looked good in the early going, bowed out at that height, after a pair of misses and a run-through to eliminate herself from the medal chase. Pre-meet medal favourite Fabiana Murer of Brazil, who upped her career best to 4.80m this summer, made an early exit, though the blame wasn’t apparently her own. After sailing over her 4.45m opener, she realized that the pole she needed for her next height, 4.55m, was missing. After a delay of several minutes, her search went in vain and she chose to skip the height, expending considerable energy in the process. Also making an unexpected early departure was defending bronze medallist Anna Rogowska, who after clearing her opening 4.45m, found 4.55m too much to handle. Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
Isinbayeva puts on a show! Ask any theatre director what actors do when left to their own devices. They end up downstage centre, that’s to say, right in the middle of the spotlight. Cue Yelena Isinibayeva. On her own admission, after bringing the house down yet again, clearing 5.05 metres to win her second Olympic gold and set her 24th World record, she loves nothing more than having the stage to herself. “I love it so much, I feel like an actress. They (the crowd) are there just for me. They want a World record, so at least, I will try to do my best. And I was confident, I really wanted to make all the people happy.” “I wasn’t afraid of this height, sometimes in different stadia, I feel 4.50 is like six metres, but tonight, this felt low. Now I feel so happy that I have 24 World records.” This statement raised the inevitable question, of when she would get up to 36 World records, beating the 35 of that guy from the Ukraine, now masquerading as IAAF Senior Vice President. She almost looked shocked, “No, I will never bear Sergey (Bubka). He was the best in the world. But I will try to do my best. I’m going to do another twelve.” Now she knows her position Amid the joy, laughter and exuberance, there was one thing which still rankled, namely the comments of Jen Stuczcinski of the US, who had done a bit of trash talking before the Games. The American incidentally was still at dope testing after taking the silver with 4.80 metres, so didn’t attend the press conference, which would have been interesting. Isinbayeva was still smiling, which appears to be her default mode, but she said, “It made me angry. How is it possible she is talking to much like that. It made me want to prove who is better. It wasn’t nice, she must show respect, and know her position. Now she knows her position." Senior lieutenant Isinbayeva is of an unusual cultural mix. Her mother is Russian, but her father is a member of one of the Federation’s smallest ethnic groups, the Tabasarans, who number barely 100,000, and come from the Republic of Dagestan, which borders the Caspian Sea, at Russia’s south-west tip. She was born in Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, site of the famous siege and battle which turned the fortunes on the Eastern front in the Second World War. She graduated from the Volgograd State Academy of Physical Culture with a Batchelor’s degree, and, between training session is working for her master’s. She is still a member of the Russian Army team, and in 2005 was given the rank of senior lieutenant. That must come in handy when booking restaurants in her current home in Monaco. It was already well past midnight by now, and someone asked if she resented having come to talk to the hacks, when she could have been relaxing at a restaurant, or at least having a well-earned beer or glass of wine. “No, it’s a pleasure for me. I know you have been waiting two or three hours, but I want to feel professional. After all, you are my PR people in your different countries.” It’s a good job the moderator called the conference to an end. She’d have kept us there all night. Just as she did the crowd outside. And we got just as good a performance. Someone called out a last question just as we were filing out, “What next?” “See you in London 2012,” she laughed. What a trouper! Pat Butcher for the IAAF
*Pole vault*	Women		Final	18 August

Rank	Mark		Athlete	Country	NOC	Birth Date	Records
1	5.05		Yelena Isinbayeva	Russia	RUS	3 Jun 82	WR
2	4.80		Jenn Suhr	United States	USA	5 Feb 82
3	4.75		Svetlana Feofanova	Russia	RUS	16 Jul 80
4	4.75		Yuliya Golubchikova	Russia	RUS	27 Mar 83
5	4.70		Monika Pyrek	Poland	POL	11 Aug 80
6	4.65		Carolin Hingst	Germany	GER	18 Sep 80
7	4.65		Silke Spiegelburg	Germany	GER	17 Mar 86
8	4.55		April Steiner Bennett	United States	USA	22 Apr 80
9	4.55		Vanessa Boslak	France	FRA	11 Jun 82
10	4.45		Fabiana Murer	Brazil	BRA	16 Mar 81
10	4.45		Anna Rogowska	Poland	POL	21 May 81
12	4.45		Gao Shuying	China	CHN	28 Oct 79
*Pole vault*	Women		Qualification	16 August

Rank	Mark		Athlete	Country	NOC	Birth Date	Records
1	4.60	Q	Yelena Isinbayeva	Russia	RUS	3 Jun 82
2	4.50	Q	Vanessa Boslak	France	FRA	11 Jun 82
2	4.50	Q	Gao Shuying	China	CHN	28 Oct 79
2	4.50	Q	Fabiana Murer	Brazil	BRA	16 Mar 81
2	4.50	Q	Jenn Suhr	United States	USA	5 Feb 82
6	4.50	Q	Svetlana Feofanova	Russia	RUS	16 Jul 80
6	4.50	Q	April Steiner Bennett	United States	USA	22 Apr 80
8	4.50	Q	Monika Pyrek	Poland	POL	11 Aug 80
8	4.50	Q	Anna Rogowska	Poland	POL	21 May 81
10	4.50	Q	Yuliya Golubchikova	Russia	RUS	27 Mar 83
10	4.50	Q	Carolin Hingst	Germany	GER	18 Sep 80
12	4.50	Q	Silke Spiegelburg	Germany	GER	17 Mar 86
13	4.40		Naroa Agirre	Spain	ESP	15 May 79
14	4.40		Anastasija Reiberger	Germany	GER	19 Sep 77
15	4.40		Kate Dennison	Great Britain	GBR	7 May 84
16	4.30		Alana Boyd	Australia	AUS	10 May 84
16	4.30		Roslinda Samsu	Malaysia	MAS	9 Jun 82
18	4.30		Kelsie Hendry	Canada	CAN	29 Jun 82
19	4.30		Joanna Piwowarska	Poland	POL	4 Nov 83
19	4.30		Afrodíti Skafída	Greece	GRE	20 Mar 82
19	4.30		Sandra-Hélèna Homo	Portugal	POR	29 May 82
22	4.30		Nicole Büchler	Switzerland	SUI	17 Dec 83
23	4.15		Marion Buisson	France	FRA	19 Feb 88
23	4.15		Thórey Edda Elísdóttir	Iceland	ISL	30 Jun 77
25	4.15		Zhou Yang	China	CHN	16 May 88
26	4.15		Krisztina Molnár	Hungary	HUN	8 Apr 76
27	4.15		Nataliya Mazuryk	Ukraine	UKR	5 Mar 83
27	4.15		Nikoléta Kiriakopoúlou	Greece	GRE	21 Mar 86
27	4.15		Li Ling	China	CHN	6 Jul 89
27	4.15		Yarisley Silva	Cuba	CUB	1 Jun 87
31	4.15		Alejandra García	Argentina	ARG	13 Jun 73
32	4.00		Leila Ben-Youssef	Tunisia	TUN	13 Nov 81
32	4.00		Vanessa Vandy	Finland	FIN	14 May 89
34	4.00		Anna Fitidou	Cyprus	CYP	22 Apr 77
	NH		Kateřina Baďurová	Czech Republic	CZE	18 Dec 82
	NH		Erica Bartolina	United States	USA	15 May 80

Detailed View

Qualifying round

Qualifying performance: 4.60 (Q) or at least 12 best performers (q) advance to the final.

Rank	Group	Name	Nationality	4.00	4.15	4.30	4.40	4.50	4.60	Result	Notes^[6]
1	A	Yelena Isinbayeva	Russia	–	–	–	–	–	o	4.60	Q
2	B	Vanessa Boslak	France	–	o	o	o	o	–	4.50	q, =SB
2	A	Gao Shuying	China	–	–	o	o	o	–	4.50	q
2	B	Fabiana Murer	Brazil	–	–	–	o	o	–	4.50	q
2	B	Jennifer Stuczynski	United States	–	–	–	–	o	–	4.50	q
6	A	Svetlana Feofanova	Russia	–	–	–	xo	o	–	4.50	q
6	A	April Steiner Bennett	United States	–	–	xo	o	o	–	4.50	q
8	A	Monika Pyrek	Poland	–	–	–	o	xo	–	4.50	q
8	B	Anna Rogowska	Poland	–	–	–	o	xo	–	4.50	q
10	B	Yuliya Golubchikova	Russia	–	–	o	xo	xo	–	4.50	q
10	A	Carolin Hingst	Germany	–	o	xo	o	xo	–	4.50	q
12	B	Silke Spiegelburg	Germany	–	–	xxo	o	xo	–	4.50	q
13	A	Naroa Agirre	Spain	o	o	o	xo	xxx		4.40	=SB
14	A	Anastasija Reiberger	Germany	–	o	xo	xo	xxx		4.40
15	B	Kate Dennison	Great Britain	xo	xo	xo	xxo	xxx		4.40	=PB
16	B	Alana Boyd	Australia	–	–	o	xxx			4.30
16	B	Roslinda Samsu	Malaysia	o	o	o	xxx			4.30	=SB
18	B	Kelsie Hendry	Canada	–	–	xo	xxx			4.30
19	A	Joanna Piwowarska	Poland	xo	o	xo	xxx			4.30
19	A	Afrodíti Skafída	Greece	–	xo	xo	xxx			4.30
19	A	Sandra-Helena Tavares	Portugal	o	xo	xo	xxx			4.30
22	B	Nicole Büchler	Switzerland	xxo	o	xxo	xxx			4.30
23	A	Marion Buisson	France	o	o	xx				4.15
23	B	Thórey Edda Elisdóttir	Iceland	–	o	xxx				4.15
25	B	Zhou Yang	China	xo	o	xxx				4.15
26	B	Krisztina Molnár	Hungary	xxo	o	xxx				4.15
27	A	Natalya Kushch	Ukraine	–	xxo	–	xxx			4.15
27	B	Nikoléta Kiriakopoúlou	Greece	–	xxo	xxx				4.15
27	A	Li Ling	China	–	xxo	xxx				4.15
27	A	Yarisley Silva	Cuba	–	xxo	xxx				4.15
31	A	Alejandra García	Argentina	xxo	xxo	xxx				4.15
32	A	Leila Ben Youssef	Tunisia	xo	xxx					4.00
32	A	Vanessa Vandy	Finland	xo	xxx					4.00
34	B	Anna Fitídou	Cyprus	xxo	xxx					4.00
	B	Kateřina Baďurová	Czech Republic	xxx						NM
	B	Erica Bartolina	United States	–	–	xxx				NM

Final

The final was held on August 18.

Rank	Name	Nationality	4.30	4.45	4.55	4.65	4.70	4.75	4.80	4.85	4.90	4.95	5.00	5.05	Result	Notes^[7]
	Yelena Isinbayeva	Russia	–	–	–	–	o	–	–	o	–	xxo	–	xxo	5.05	WR
	Jennifer Stuczynski	United States	–	–	o	–	o	xo	o	–	xxx				4.80
	Svetlana Feofanova	Russia	–	o	o	xo	–	o	xxx						4.75	SB
4	Yulia Golubchikova	Russia	–	o	o	xo	o	xo	xxx						4.75	PB
5	Monika Pyrek	Poland	–	o	o	o	xo	xxx							4.70
6	Carolin Hingst	Germany	o	o	o	xxo	xxx								4.65	SB
7	Silke Spiegelburg	Germany	o	xo	o	xxo	xxx								4.65
8	April Steiner Bennett	United States	o	o	o	xxx									4.55
9	Vanessa Boslak	France	o	o	xo	xxx									4.55	SB
10	Fabiana Murer	Brazil	–	o	–	xxx									4.45
10	Anna Rogowska	Poland	–	o	xxx										4.45
12	Gao Shuying	China	o	xxo	xxx										4.45