RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Yelena Isinbayeva, the pole vault world record holder, says she is retiring from competing in the sport.
Isinbayeva was prevented from seeking a third Olympic title in Rio de Janeiro after the IAAF banned all but one Russian track and field athlete from the games over their country’s state-sponsored doping scandal.
At a news conference in Rio, the 34-year-old Isinbayeva said through a translator that she is “finishing her professional career.”
Isinbayeva says she is considering an offer to lead Russia’s track and field federation.
Isinbayeva, who has never failed a doping test, was elected as an athletes’ representative on the International Olympic Committee on Thursday.