Triple Olympic gold medalist Li Ning achieved a major publicity coup in Beijing yesterday by signing pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva to his eponymous sportswear brand for a reported five-year deal worth $7.5 million. …
Beijing – Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia breaks the world record during the women’s pole vault final – Guardian
She’s the #1 female track and female athlete in the world. Winner of the Female Athlete of the Year by the IAAF in 2004, 2005 and 2008, and World Sportswoman of the Year by Laureus.
… Li Ning Company Limited now ranking as China’s largest sportswear retailer. Isinbayeva, with her Slavic blonde hair, model good looks and reputation as the world’s greatest female pole vaulter, is expected to add both prestige and chic to the brand’s armory. …
Stars currently under contract include Olympic champion diver Guo Jingjing, men’s gymnastics world and Olympic champion Yang Wei, and women’s table tennis world No 1 Zhang Yining.
To further expand its global reach, it has also signed foreign athletes including NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal of the Phoenix Suns and Baron Davis of the Los Angeles Clippers, and Croatian tennis player Ivan Ljubicic. …
Isinbayeva, a former artistic gymnast, said she felt instantly comfortable with the Li Ning brand.
“Li (also) used to be a gymnast. I think we have the same philosophy on life,” said the Russian, who was formerly under contract to Adidas, the world’s second-largest sports goods maker. …
China Daily – Isinbayeva to scale new financial heights
Gymnastics Coaching.com 