Isinbeyeva Raises the Roof In Beijing

Russian pole vaulter breaks her own world record and Stucynski grabs silver.

-Beijing—The women’s pole vault unfolded with an air of predictability at the Birdnest. The venerable Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia jumped and produced yet another world record of 16 feet, 6.75 inches. This is her third time this season to improve on her world record.

If it is any indication, nearly half of the field was out of the competition before Isinbayeva took her first jump.

Jennifer Stucynski (15 feet, 9 inches) of the U.S. did everything she needed in order to earn a well-deserved silver medal. Afterword she said, "I couldn't ask for anything more than to come to my first Olympics and get a medal, a silver no less. It's beyond words to have people in there cheering for you. I made a lot of jumps and I'm feeling it right now."

The clearance by Isinbayeva was so large it leads me to think that will be raise her record again before the end of this outdoor season.

By Jay Hicks.