Yelena Isinbayeva sets pole vault world record
NEWSWIRE
She easily clears 16-6 on her second attempt at Golden Gala meet in Rome.
Yelena Isinbayeva improved her pole vault world record to 16 feet 6 inches Friday at the Golden Gala meet in Rome.
The Russian cleared the record height with ease on her second attempt, nearly three years after her previous record of 16-5 1/4 at the 2005 world championships in Helsinki, Finland.
Competing in her first outdoor meet this season, Isinbayeva said the record was a response to American Jenn Stuczynski, who went 16-0 3/4 on May 18 to move into second on the all-time list.
Former world-record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica pulled out of the 100-meter final because of a groin problem.
Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius of South Africa missed out in another attempt to qualify for the Olympics but took nearly a second off his 400-meter time.
MOTOR RACING
It's another win for Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch added another NASCAR Nationwide Series victory, winning the Dollar General 300 at the Chicagoland Speedway.
The points leader with six victories in the Sprint Cup Series, Busch won for the fifth time in the Nationwide Series.
Busch took the lead on the 95th lap in his No. 18 Toyota, held it until a pit stop on the 149th and then regained it five laps later for the remainder of the 200-lap race on the 1.5-mile track.
BASKETBALL
Bobcats are planning to keep Okafor
Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins told the Charlotte Observer that the team plans on retaining restricted free-agent forward Emeka Okafor.
Okafor -- along with Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith -- quickly reached the Clippers wish list after they lost Elton Brand to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Clippers have about $12 million in salary-cap room. Teams can retain their restricted free agents if they match offer sheets within a seven-day window.
Smith, however is viewed as the Clippers' primary target and the team is expected to extend him an offer sheet within the next week or so.
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Jonathan Abrams
The Minnesota Timberwolves signed first-round draft pick Kevin Love, the former UCLA star.
HOCKEY
Ducks want NHL to investigate Lowe
The Ducks will file a formal request with the NHL to look into whether the comments made by Edmonton Oilers General Manager Kevin Lowe about winger Corey Perry constitute tampering.
