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Pole vault queen Yelena to skip WC; fixes her sights on Rio Olympics

September 26, 2014 10:10 IST

Yelena Isinbayeva

Elena Isinbaeva of Russia during the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow 2013. Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Double Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva will not compete next year but is fixing her sights on the Rio Olympics in 2016, the Russian said on Thursday.

"I am now fully busy with my daughter and family and doing only light exercises. I will start full training no earlier than June 2015," she wrote on her Instagram page.

‘Main goal for me is Olympics in Rio’

Elena Isinbaeva

Elena Isinbaeva of Russia attends the IAAF Ambassador Programme Press Conference during the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow 2013. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The 32-year-old Isinbayeva, the world record holder and three-time world champion, gave birth to a daughter in June this year.

"The main goal for me is the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, so in 2015 I will not participate in the competition.

"These are our plans, and how it would be in reality, only time will tell," she added.

Her announcement means she will not defend her world title at the Beijing World Championships next year.

Source: REUTERS
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