How Putin's former ally and pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva angered Russia

Yelena Isinbayeva is an important figure in the Russian and world athletics. Not only has she brought her home country two Olympic gold medals in the pole vault, but she is still the world record holder in this discipline. Though once heralded a heroine in her home country, things aren't looking great between Isinbayeva and Russia right now.

In addition to her impressive sports career, the 2007 and 2009 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year is also very active outside of sports,  especially in politics.

One of Russia's most regarded athletes, she was a member of the group that, among other things, supported amending the Russian constitution that allowed Putin to remain in power until 2036.

On May 16, 2015, Isinbayeva was promoted to the rank of major in the Russian Army by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The following year, the athlete was awarded the medal 'For Strengthening the Military Community' after visiting Khmeimim Air Base in Syria.

In 2017, Isinbayeva, along with other well-known Russian faces (athletes, musicians, actors and activists), was part of the 'Putin Team' to support Vladimir Putin in his 2018 presidential campaign, and did the same once again for the 2020 campaign.

As if her great popularity and proximity to the Russian government weren't enough, the athlete did not hesitate to support Russian actions after the invasion of Ukraine. This is exactly what led to Zelensky's sanctions and her ban from the country.

On February 27, 2023, Isinbayeva was banned from entering Ukraine for 50 years and her access to financial assets in the country, which is said to include property, has been blocked. Alongside Isinbayeva, three other athletes were sanctioned: Shamil Tarpischev (former tennis player), Alexander Popov (former swimmer) and Vitaly Smirnov (former water polo player).

According to the latest news, Isinbayeva left Russia and now resides in Spain. She chose the Canary Island of Tenerife to start a new life with her husband Nikita Petinow and their two children.

It was El Digital Sur, a local Spanish newspaper, that published the exclusive report, including photos, confirming the former athlete's presence in Arona, a town in Tenerife with just over 40,000 inhabitants.

El Digital Sur also reported that the high jump tsarina is the owner of several properties on the Spanish island, including "a luxurious home in 'El Palm-Mar,' an exclusive residential complex in Arona."

According to local media, it is said to be a property measuring around 200 square meters, "a high-end duplex" that Isinbayeva shares with her family. It's reportedly also not the only property she owns on the Spanish island.

El Digital Sur also confirmed that Isinbayeva's two children were enrolled at a school in the south of Tenerife. Another piece of information that suggests the family's residence in Spain.

However, her change in residence has affected her relationship with Russia, which is not happy about her absence from the country. Not only that, but the announcement that she will be involved with the 2024 Olympic Games has garnered attention as she looks to distance herself from her previous connections to Russia.

In July 2023, Isinbayeva announced that she would return to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) Athletes Commission in September to carry out the role she previously held and from which she resigned pending an investigation into her ties to the Russian armed forces. Since that investigation has closed, Isinbayeva is free to carry out her former duties.

In anticipation of the controversy, Isinbayeva, after months of silence, wrote in a post on Instagram: "The titles were a formality because I do not serve in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and have never served."

Photo: Instagram @isinbaevayelena

Sergei Malekov, president of Dagestan – one of the republics that make up Russia – announced in September that they would remove Isinbayeva's name from an athletics stadium. He suggested that “they name a pavilion in Spain in honor of her”, highlighting just how on the outer the former pole vaulter is with her own country now.

On her Instagram post, written in Spanish, the former Russian Olympic champion made it clear: "I am a global citizen, I always have been and I will continue to be." The comments, especially those in Russian, were far from supportive. It's quite clear why Isinbayeva might prefer her life in Tenerife...