Olympic champion loyal to the Kremlin
Putin confidant Isinbayeva is said to be in Tenerife
07/12/2023 11:37 p.m
In terms of sport, Yelena Isinbayeva achieves almost everything in her career. Even in retirement things are going well for the Russian pole vaulter due to her proximity to the Kremlin. However, the 41-year-old should not be staying in her beloved homeland at the moment.
The former Russian pole vaulter and vocal Putin supporter Yelena Isinbayeva is said to be on the Spanish holiday island of Tenerife. According to the Spanish newspaper “El Digigal Sur” she lives with her husband and their two children in a luxurious residential complex on the island. The 41-year-old traveled legally to Tenerife on May 30 aboard a transport plane from Turkey, the Spanish newspaper added “Sports”. Both media do not name sources for their reports.
People know each other: In 2017, Yelena Isinbayeva, as Ambassador of the Military World Games in Sochi, met Defense Minister Shoigu (right) and former Russian President Medvedev.
(Photo: picture alliance / Dmitry Astakhov/TASS/dpa)
Isinbayeva is the 2013 world champion and two-time Olympic champion in pole vaulting. “El Digital Sur” has published three photos that are said to show the former athlete, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at one in Tenerife. However, the surroundings are veiled. It is difficult to tell where the pictures were taken. It is therefore also unclear whether Isinbayeva is staying on the popular holiday island for relaxation or wants to stay in Spain permanently.
Major and party member
In 2012 and 2018, Isinbayeva allowed himself to be used by President Vladimir Putin for the election campaign. After the end of her sporting career, the multiple world record holder made a career in the Olympic Committee, also thanks to her good relationships with the head of the Kremlin. However, Isinbayeva was mocked when Putin appointed her to a working group for constitutional reform in 2020, but she then had to admit that she had never read the document before.
A few years ago, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu awarded Isinbayeva the rank of major in the Russian army for her sporting successes. She is also a member of the ruling party “United Russia” and supports a movement that aims to get schoolchildren interested not only in sports, but also in topics such as love of their homeland and handling weapons. According to “El Digital Sur”, the club is funded by the Russian Defense Ministry.
Because of her apparent proximity to the Kremlin, Isinbayeva was placed on the sanctions list by Kiev after the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began.