Russia's Dagestan to name stadium after Isinbayeva

Moscow, March 23: A central track and field stadium in Makhachkala, the capital of Russias North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, will be named after iconic pole-vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, Dagestani Sports Minister Magomed Magomedov said.

"Yelena Isinbayeva is regularly visiting Dagestan, which is her second homeland," Magomedov said in an interview with Tass news agency on Wednesday. "It explains our decision to rename the ‘Trud' stadium after her."

Magomedov added: "The reconstruction of the sports facility has been already completed and the stadium will soon have the name of this famous athlete."

The two-time Olympic champion's father originally comes from Dagestan, while Yelena was born in the city of Volgograd (known as the city of Stalingrad during the Soviet era).

Besides two Olympic golds, Isinbayeva, 34, is a triple world champion (2005, 2007 and 2013), having set a total of 28 world records, and is currently considered the greatest female pole-vaulter of all time.