Star-struck students get tips from the best

Students from Jin Yuan High School in Shanghai's Putuo district got the opportunity of a lifetime on Friday when they interacted with a trio of international sports superstars during the Star Athletes School Clinic ahead of the Shanghai Diamond League meet.

The foreign guests were former Russian world champion pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva and former US world champion hurdler David Oliver.

Isinbayeva, widely considered the greatest female pole vaulter in history, is the current world record holder. She's a two-time Olympic gold medalist and winner of three world titles. Oliver is an Olympic bronze medalist and won the 110m hurdles at the 2013 world championships in Moscow.

Together with Chinese national hurdler Zeng Jianhang, the foreign stars conducted a short clinic with a trio of student hurdlers, providing them with tips regarding their technique. Oliver also got to show off his skills, much to the delight of the audience of around 300.

"I've been competing here in Shanghai since 2005 and I can see how this meet has improved over the years. I'm so thankful for all the organizers and sponsors for providing such a high-level competition and hosting events such as this where we can interact with young athletes," said Isinbayeva.

"I'm very honored to be invited here to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Shanghai Diamond League competition. I'm also very happy to be here to meet my friends and be a VIP guest. Being here has helped to refresh my memories of this city and when I used to compete here."

The 36-year-old also spoke about her expectations for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Doha in September, saying she hopes there will not be a repeat of the doping scandal that some Russian athletes were embroiled in three years ago.

More than 100 were banned from competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics following the release of an independent report about a state-sponsored doping program.

Isinbayeva, who has never tested positive for doping, was unable to compete in Brazil because of the ban.

"I'm really looking forward to Doha. I expect my Russian compatriots to get good results. I hope there will be a fair competition that is free of any doping incidents. I really hope that friendship and professionalism will be shown during these world championships," she added.