Russian pole vaulter Isinbayeva announces return after maternity leave

Russia's two-time Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva said on Thursday she plans to take part in the Russian Winter Meeting, an annual indoor track and field competition, and in Russia's Indoors Championships.

Her first tournament after a more than two-year maternity leave will be the Volgograd Region Governor's Cup due on February 6, reports Tass.

"The competition in Volgograd will be my first one after a 2.5-year break linked with the birth of my daughter," she wrote on her Instagram page.

"I will also take part in the Russian Winter Meeting and in the Russian Indoor Championships."

The Russian Winter Meeting will be held on February 14, and Russia's Indoor Championships - on February 23-25. Both will be held in Moscow.

Isinbayev, 33, is reputed as the best female pole vaulter of all time. She won Olympic gold twice - in 2004 and in 2008, and was bronze medallist of the 2012 Olympics.

Moreover, she is three-time World outdoor champion and four-time World indoor champion. She is a holder of 28 world pole vault records. In June 2014, she gave birth to her first child, a daughter.