Yelena Isinbayeva (Athletics)

Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia competes during the women's pole vault final of the athletics competition in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in this Aug 18, 2008 file photograph. [Photo/Agencies]

The Russian manages to combine grace and power in the pole vault to devastating effect, soaring higher and higher since setting her first world record of 4.82 metres in Gateshead in 2003.

Since then she has steadily raised the bar to 5.06 meters, considerably higher than one of London's famous red double decker buses, claiming five world titles and the Olympic golds in Athens and Beijing.

Should the pole vault queen win in London, when she will have turned 30, she will become the first female track and field athlete to win gold at three consecutive Games.