AFP

Rome, Jul 12: Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva set a new women's pole vault world record of 5.03m at the Golden League meeting in Rome on Friday.

Isinbayeva bettered her previous world record of 5.01m set in Helsinki in August 2005.

The Olympic and world champion, making her first appearance of the season outdoors, has now set 22 world records in the event (12 outdoor and 10 indoors).

Her latest world record comes just four weeks before the Beijing Olympics get underway and took her closer to one of her ambitions - beating Ukrainain Sergei Bubka's record of setting 35 world records in the men's pole vault.

Isinbayeva's record-breaking performance also appeared to justify her controversial decision to change her coach at the end of the 2005 season when she linked up with Bubka's former handler Vitaly Petrov.

Under Petrov's guidance, the former gymnast modified her technique and it has paid dividends.

"I was ready for the record. It's what I wanted," said Isinbayeva.

"I have a particular rapport with Rome and I love this stadium so I wanted to do something important. After I jumped 4.95m tonight I really felt like putting the bar at 5.03m rather than 5.02m.

"This is just the start. There is the Olympic Games and other records will come later."