Isinbayeva, who is currently here as an ambassador for the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games, is a double Olympic champion, has claimed 27 world records in her event and was the first woman to clear five metres.

But the 28-year-old announced an indefinite break from the sport earlier this year ago not long after a poor performance at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin where she broke down in tears on the competition mat after failing to clear the bar and missing out on a medal. 

Isinbayeva said: "I only took a break in 2010 because I realised after all my achievements I needed a break ahead of the big competitions that are coming up.

"There are the Olympics in London in 2012 and the World Championships in Daegu [in 2011] and Moscow [in 2013].

"London is the big one and what I am focusing on so I must rest now so that I can retire with 100 percent satisfaction.

"I’m hungry to compete again and I want to be the best again like the captain of the ship."

Prior to her spectacular failure in Berlin, the two-time Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year had appeared invincible and admitted that had struggled to cope with the after aftermath of the 2009 Athletics World Championships.

She said: "When I was defeated in Berlin last year I cried for two days.

"I couldn’t believe it, I thought it was a bad dream and just wanted to wake up.

"My coach gave me three days off.

"I recovered and then I went to Zurich ten days later and set a new world record [5.06 metres].

"I hoped that after Berlin that it was just a one-off, but after Doha [where she finished fourth in the 2010 World Indoor Championships] I realised what the problem was.

"The break has given me new determination to be the best again."

On her return, which is expected in February next year, Isinbayeva will face a renewed threat from compatriot Svetlana Feofanova, who recently added the European Championship gold to her 2003 world title.

However, after claiming that she has not lost any of her form following light training, Isinbayeva is likely to be one favourite to secure yet another gold medal in London 2012.

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