Sergei Bubka of Ukraine broke his own world outdoor record in the pole vault Saturday by soaring 20 feet, one-half inch at an international track meet.
Bubka set the old mark of 20 feet last year in Malmo, Sweden.Saturday's jump marked the 30th time that Bubka has set the pole vault record indoors or outdoors, surpassing the 29 world records by distance runner Paavo Nurmi of Finland in the 1920s.
"I am very happy to set the record, especially now in the Olympic season," Bubka said. "It's very important to do well in an Olympic year."
The three-time world champion and 1988 Olympic gold medalist made just three jumps all afternoon. He reached 19-1/2 and 19-7 before clearing the record height, all on his first attempts.
All of his jumps went cleanly over the bar. He was about two inches over the bar on the record leap.
"My foot still hurts, and that is why I try to be the most precise and jump the fewest jumps possible," he said, referring to a heel injury that has bothered him this season.
The outdoor meet was his third of the season.