Isinbayeva to Defend Crown in London

`It will be my last proper competition before heading out to Berlin,` she said in a statement.

Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva will prepare for the defence of her world championship crown by competing in next month's London Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old Russian, who has won six previous meetings in London setting a world record on three occasions, is favourite to retain her world title in Berlin in August.

"It will be my last proper competition before heading out to Berlin, so I want to know I am in the best possible form," she said in a statement.

The two-day meeting at Crystal Palace starts on July 24 and will also feature triple Olympic sprint champion and world 100 and 200 metres record holder Usain Bolt.