Yelesina ends 10-year wait

Cloete: Had to settle for silver

Russia's Yelena Yelesina ended a 10-year wait to claim the Olympic high jump gold after a tense battle with South Africa's Hestrie Cloete.

The 30-year-old last won a major title when she took the European junior championship in 1989.

But the wait ended when she sailed over 2.01 metres at her second attempt, beating South Africa's Hestrie Cloete, who also cleared 2.01m but had more failures at lower heights.

There was a tie for the bronze medal between Kajsa Bergqvist, of Sweden, and Oana Manuela Pantelimon, from Romania - both clearing 1.99m.

In the best quality women's high jump for some time, Yelesina managed a perfect record in her first five jumps at lower heights.

Women's High Jump Final:

1. Y Yelesina (Rus) 2.01m
2. H Cloete (Rsa) 2.01
3= OM Pantelimon (Rom) 1.99
3= K Bergqvist (Swe) 1.99
5. I Babakova (Ukr) 1.96