Report: British pole vaulter calls world champ a 'tramp'
Yelena Isinbayeva is widely considered to be the best female pole vaulter in the world. The 29-year-old holds 27 world records and is a gold medal favorite heading into the London Olympics. Because of her infamous routine during competition, many of Isinbayeva’s opponents do not think very highly of her.
During the early rounds of pole vaulting competitions, Isinbayeva does not watch her opponents. Instead, she remains off to the side of the competition area and wraps herself in blankets and towels, completely ignoring the rest of the vaulters and resting until it is her turn. British vaulter Holley Bleasdale, who broke the British pole vaulting record at the Olympic trials, recently had some harsh words for Isinbayeva when discussing her routine.
“I’ve seen Isinbayeva do that, looks like a tramp on a street corner,” Bleasdale told the Daily Express. “I do think it’s disrespectful to us. She keeps herself to herself. I try to ignore her, just do my own stuff, concentrate on me.
“Isinbayeva comes into a competition really late, tries to psyche everyone out. It’s her plan. She wants us to say, ‘Oh, look, she’s not bothered’, but it doesn’t work with me. If you want to lie there and have a towel on your head, it’s all right. It is a bit weird.”
Bleasdale said she tries to chat with the other vaulters and learn something while she awaits her turn, but Isinbayeva seems bored and disinterested with her fellow competitors. Not only is Bleasdale not intimidated by the world champion, she is very confident she can take her down in London.
“I really want to jump against Isinbayeva,” she said. “I’m in better shape than when I’ve competed against her before and I could challenge her and win. I’d be silly not to seize the opportunity and beat Isinbayeva now. I don’t see why not. I am really confident that women can jump much higher than (she) ever has.”
For those who enjoy a good controversy heading into the Olympic Games, we have had plenty of that this year. Between Bleasdale’s comments about Isinbayeva and the unfriendly things Tyler Clary had to say about Michael Phelps, there has been no shortage of Olympic smack talk leading up to London.
H/T NBCOlympics.com
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Well, obviously it DOES bother you Holley or you would not have commented. She is the best in the world so why should she bother to watch YOU. Maybe she just likes to be by herself to concentrate on her own jumping and could care less about what you jump. I can relate. Before any big race I warmed up alone, stayed to myself and was totally focused on what I wanted to do in the race. So, when you have 27 world records you can act the way you want. Until then, why don't you pay more attention to your own actions.
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You are right on. She doesn't wish to watch less talented vaulters and inadvertently pick up bad habits.
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I agree with nonstopjoe. Hey, everyone has their own technique on how they meditate before a big event. Maybe being by herself and relaxing is how she does it. It must work. Look at how many world records she has. So Holley, quit complaining and being jealous because you don't have what it takes. That is your fault.
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-“I do think it’s disrespectful to us. She keeps herself to herself. I try to ignore her, just do my own stuff, concentrate on me."-
So Bleasdale aren't you acting just like her and disrespecting everyone by concentrating on you? -
Hey Brit, put up or shut up at the Oly Games - the pressure is now all on you! Really need to keep your rude comments to yourself. She is the best and you are not even close, at this point. Big mistake on your part!!!
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I think you should show a more mature attitude Holley. You are supposed to be an example for young peaple to follow. Maybe that is how she keeps herself calm before she competes. You should have more respect for other peaple.
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Holley, sounds like she already OWNS you. Better start looking for things that go with silver....
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Unlike the impression the headline makes, she does not call her a tramp. She simply says that she looks like one. Just another way facts are twisted simply to start sh**.
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It is this athlete who is disrepectful. If the person has never said anything untowards about you what gives you the right to call her names. Sounds like a mannerless idiot to me.
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SHE MUST BE REALLY GOOD TO BE GIVEN SO MUCH ATTENTION TO HER WARM-UP. WE ONLY ACCEPT ROBOTS ALL OTHERS PLEASE GO DRINK THE GREEN JUICE. ORIGINAL THOUGHTS NEED NOT APPLY....
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I agree with truthallways. Ms Bleasdale is the one being disrespectful. Points should be deducted from all of her scores for unsportsman-like conduct for such comments.
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I was a world class freestyle wrestler in 1979 and was invited to the Olympic 200 program where 200 elite wrestlers were invited to try out for the world championship tournament.
Every tournament I attended - high school or college, I went to the top bleachers and slept - folks thought I was so cool, so confident when in fact, under the stree of the competition I would actually get very sleepy. Don't prejudge how folks handle stress - is it a unique action. -
I was an athlete way back in the good ole days. I set state records in two sports and was a pretty good pitcher. I always got away by myself to concentrate on MYSELF. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it and anyone who thinks they can set themselves up as the PC police should be told to shut up and mind their own business. After the competition there's always time to socialize.
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Because the guy who wrote this was too brain dead to figure this out, tramp in England means a vagrant or a bum, not a hooker or a slut.
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Twoody is correct, if you think about it, in the childrens movie Lady and the Tramp, I don't think she was hanging out with a hooker.
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Thank you for the correction, now I will be a little easier on the British tramp.....
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It takes one, to know one,
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The Russian will win, and has a hell of a lot better figure...
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I love her attitude on competition. She knows how to relax and she knows that her competition is with herself not anyone else. Vaulters are a rare breed and the Russians are the best. (Bubka) was the best for years. If she has the right equipment she will win gold. Everyone else is jumping for silver and bronze. I'll bet she will talk to you "after" she has won.
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bleasdale- you are a shallow person.
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Obviously she's doing something right.
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wow!! she isn't bothering anyone with her routine,yet someone has to find fault!!! with her.
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Holly, you remind me of a scared little school yard bully. Stating that Yelena Isinbayeva looks like a tramp (vagrant) because of her chosen method in relaxing before an event, is just wrong.
Shame on you. I bet it really makes you say Ouch in knowing that your rude remarks towards Ms.Isinbayevajay has made you appear as a complete fool.
Your competing against the best, I suggest you grow up and act your age.
Points should be deducted on you , but I seriously doubt it will be needed. Like I said, you are competing against the best. -
Well it looks like her plan is working. She is already getting under their skin. Whatever works for her. Nothing says she has to talk to the other girls. She is there to win not to make buddies.
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I don't think she is being disrespectful at all. My thought is, is that she is concentrating on herself, as others have suggested, and also, she doesn't want to know what the other vaulters have done, so she doesn't have to worry what she has to beat. All Bleasdale has proven is that she is JEALOUS as all get out. She showed how nervous she is, and is shaking in her booties. I hope Bleasdale hits the knocks the bar off every jump she makes, it would serve her right.
Update: July 22, 2012
Correction: "I hope Bleasdale hits and knocks the bar off every jump she makes, it would serve her right." -
This quote from Bleasdale says it all: “I do think it’s disrespectful to us. She keeps herself to herself. I try to ignore her, just do my own stuff, concentrate on me..." Translation: "How dare she keep to herself while I'm keeping to myself!" The hypocrisy is laughably blatant!
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It looks like the British pole vaulter is the tramp, she's the one acting/making comments like one.
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Competition at that level isn't jkust about skill
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I send congratulations and best wishes for continued success to Ms. Isinbayeva, and I applaud your ability to ignore the rants of those who would criticize your methods of training and preparation.
May you take the Gold in your event during the Summer Olympics and may you enjoy a peaceful and pleasant pursuit of all your dreams. -
Right on! We should all wish the best to everyone, in every pursuit - what do we have to lose?
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Make that every positive, non-hateful, peaseful pursuit (for some reason I thought I should qualify that statement).
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Well Miss Bleasdale what gives you the right to call others names? It seems to me that you're the one being disrespectful. You're doing the same thing she is acording to you. In your words 'keeping to yourself, doing your own stuff and concentrating on you'. Now tell me what's the difference? I think her so called routine does get under your skin or you wouldn't be complaing about it. And Miss Bleasdale being petty and childish are NOT the signs of a world class athlete. So I'd suggest you really start concentrating on you and only you and not worry about anyone else. How anyone else acts is none of your business. So shut up suck it up and if you're such a great athlete then let's see it. Otherwise I prefer not to hear anything of your childishness.
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Why is this an issue? It obviously works for Isinbayeva. If I'm competing against someone who does this as a warm-up, I honestly couldn't care less. Holley needs to worry about herself and forget about everyone conforming to her definition of sportsmanship.
