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Isinbayeva retires with fiery words for IAAF

August 20, 2016

The greatest female pole vaulter of all time quits having been banned from the Rio Olympics. The Russian, who is still the world record holder, plans to concentrate on her new role on the IOC athletes' commission.

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Russland Yelena Isinbayeva
Image: picture alliance/dpa/S. Ilnitsky

Russia's double Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva has announced her retirement having been banned from the Rio Olympics, but she refused to go quietly.

Isinbayeva was barred from Rio along with the rest of the Russian track and field team due an IAAF ban because of state-sponsored doping, despite never having failed a drugs test herself.

"If you look at the big picture, when you compete without Isinbayeva it can't be a proper gold medal," the 34-year-old told a news conference.

Isinbayeva, who still holds the women's pole vault world record of 5.06 meters, had been confident of adding gold in Rio to her triumphs in 2004 and 2008.

She now hopes to concentrate on her work on the IOC athletes' commission having recently been elected.