Olympic pole vault champ Isinbayeva taking indefinite break, but back by London 2012

Pole vaulter Isinbayeva taking indefinite break

LONDON — Pole vault great Yelena Isinbayeva is taking an indefinite break but insists she will try for a third straight Olympic gold medal at London in 2012.

The Russian world-record holder has been considering resting since leaving the world indoor championships last month in Qatar without a medal.

“A break from competing is absolutely necessary for me,” Isinbayeva said in a statement on Saturday. “After more than eight years of very hard training and competing at the highest levels both indoors and outdoors each year I need to step back in order for my body to properly recover. It is my full intention to continue training and keep myself fit.”

Isinbayeva, who has broken the indoor and outdoor marks 27 times, hasn’t ruled out returning for the European championships in Barcelona in July.

“At this moment I cannot exactly say when I will return to competitions,” she said. “I have not completely ruled out the entire summer circuit or the European championships in Barcelona.

“Nothing has changed with my long-term goals, which includes the 2011 and 2013 world championships and the Olympic gold in London 2012.”