Yelena Isinbaeva new Princess of Sport
The jury for the 2009 Prince of Asturias Award for Sports, presided over by Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the International Olympic Committee from 1980-2001, has bestowed the award to Russian athlete Yelena Isinbaeva. Members of the jury considered Isinbaeva’s life and work “one of those not only examples to others, but who have also reached new heights in man’s quest to surpass himself, and whose efforts have contributed to the advancement, nurturing, promotion or dissemination of sport”.
Click here to read Yelena's Bio
Yelena Isinbaeva was born on 1982 in Volgograd (Russia). She has broken the world pole-vaulting record twenty-seven times, and also has twice been Olympic champion. She was distinguished in 2004 and 2005 as World Athlete of the Year. In 1999, she took her first gold medal at the World Youth Championships in Bydgoszcz (Poland).
“I was very surprised when I received the phone call from Samaranch himself, because I’m a great fan of him. I think he has done a lot for sports. First I was very shocked but then also very honoured because so many important people have received the award before, including my mentor Sergei Bubka, who has also done fantastic achievements for athletics. I will be very pleased to attend in October to receive this worldwide renowned prize. I’m looking forward to it” Yelena said on a statement today.
The presentation ceremony of the Prince of Asturias award will take place on October 23 at Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, and will be presided over by the Prince and Princess of Asturias.
