Kids inspire Isinbayeva to scale new heights

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2007

ROME (AFP) — With every title in pole vaulting now in her possession, sultry Russian pin-up Yelena Isinbayeva could be forgiven if her motivation were to wane.

But the "chick with the stick", as she's been dubbed by the sport's promoters, is as fiercely ambitious as ever, drawing her inspiration from children all over the world who want to follow in her footsteps.

"I have achieved a lot, but I have to keep going for the kids," says the 24-year-old, who is busy promoting the Russian city of Sochi's bid for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The world, Olympic and European champion, Isinbayeva was the first woman to clear five metres, and has set 20 world records on her way to becoming the undisputed pole vault queen.

And the gutsy girl from...