History may be replete with uncertainties but there is never an iota of doubt when it comes to Yelana Isinbayeva.The Russian, as promised after her history-making effort — she became the first woman to cross the 5-metre barrier in London on July 22 — kept her word and vaulted to another new high. This time, she cleared 5.01 metres on her second attempt for another world record. Monika Pyrek from Poland claimed silver at 4.60 while Palva Hamackova of the Czech Republic cleared 4.50 for the bronze.As soon as she finished her vault, Yelana did a back flip at the pit, posed for a photo near the scoreboard showing the new mark and then snatched the flag that was kept ready by her coach before doing a victory lap.The bar was set at 4 metres and Isinbayeva rested for most of the time leaving the field open to other competitors and made her first attempt at 4.50. She cleared it with her first jump and repeated the feat at 4.60, then 4.70. Pyrek after missing twice at 4.70 wanted the bar risen to 4.75 but could not clear it. All the while Isinbayeva waited and straightaway asked for the bar to be put at 5.01. She failed in her first attempt only to clear it the second time.“I’m so happy, I’m so happy,” she said with a beaming smile. ‘‘It’s unbelievable. (Despite) this difficult weather I made it, it’s really amazing.’ ‘‘The crowd are very friendly and supported me very much and that helped me to jump the world record,’’ she said before declaring she had set ‘‘no limit’’ to how high she might jump.The 23-year-old pole vaulter showed why she is the best. The gap between the Russian and the rest of the field was so huge that only her compatriot Svetlana Feofanova could have made it a true fight. However, the only threat, if one could call it, would have been Anna Rogowska, a bronze medallist at Athens, and Monika Pyrek. The two Poles had claimed the silver and bronze, respectively, earlier in the European championships. The 24-year-old Rogowska, in particular, had given a good competition in London when Isinbayeva crossed the five-metre barrier.But there was gloom in the US camp as Justin Gatlin’s chance of a third gold blew up in smoke after their 4x100 relay squad failed to finish after Leonard Scott dropped the baton as Mardy Scales passed on after 100 metres. But Felix Allyson kept the US flag flying by collecting the gold in the 200m women’s final with a time of 22.16. In fact, US made it 1-2 with Boone-Smith Rachelle coming second (22.31) as the duo pushed favourite Arron Christine of France (22.31) to the third spot.
