Off Track ..... Russian says US rival put in her place

Russia's Olympic champion pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva said the world record she set on Monday had put US rival Jennifer Stuczynski in her place over reported comments about going to "kick Russian butt".

"She has never beaten me. She is talking too much. So I didn't say anything. I just wanted to prove who is the best," Isinbayeva, who won the gold medal while Stuczynski had to settle for silver, told reporters.

"I am not deaf. I can read interviews and hear what is being talked about. It made me really angry because I said, 'How is it possible to speak like this about me?'