 London: Russia`s pole vault queen Yelena Isinbaeva said Monday the bronze she won at the London Games was a sign she must shelve her plans to retire.
Isinbaeva, a double Olympic champion and 28-time world record setter, came off a subpar season and sixth place at the 2011 world championships to clinch third place in Monday`s Olympic final, which was won by America`s Jenn Suhr.
"I think this bronze tells me `Elena, don`t quit`, as I planned to quit after London," the 30-year-old superstar said.
Isinbaeva could be persuaded to continue because the next world athletics championships are on home soil in Moscow.
"I don`t know about Moscow. Of course I will be there anyway. I`d like some rest but for now I don`t know anything. I am just glad the Olympics are finished as it was so stressful."
As for the bronze, which she took with a best effort of 4.75 metres, far below her world record of 5.06, Isinbaeva said: "It is like a gold medal for me."
"It has been a lot of things in the past which have been disappointing for three years."
IANS
First Published: Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 04:00
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