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Yelena Isinbayeva awarded Spanish prize

2009-09-03 10:18 BJT

MADRID, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva has been awarded one of Spain's prestigious Prince of Asturias prizes in recognition of her success in the sport.

Isinbayeva, who broke her own world record of 5.06 meters last Friday in Zurich, Switzerland, said "it is a honor for me to have been awarded with this prize (Prince of Asutrias) and I feel very happy and excited."

Pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia attends a news conference in Zurich August 27, 2009. Isinbayeva is in Zurich to attend the IAAF Golden League athletics meeting at the Letzigrund stadium on August 28.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia attends a news conference in Zurich 
August 27, 2009. Isinbayeva is in Zurich to attend the IAAF Golden League 
athletics meeting at the Letzigrund stadium on August 28.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Isinbayeva earned 20 votes of the jury to defeat the likes of Marta Dominguez, Haile Gebreselassie, Roger Federer, the Prize's jury said.

She is the first sportswoman in 10 years since Steffi Graf to win the prize.