Yelena Isinbayeva, also spelled Elena Isinbaeva (born June 3, 1982, Volgograd, Russia, U.S.S.R. [now in Russia]), Russian pole-vaulter . Yelena is an athlete who has set an incredible 27 world records — 15 outdoor and 12 indoor — and won nine straight gold medals in indoor and outdoor championships since breaking through in 2004.