Bubka Raises Pole Vault Record to 20-1/2

Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union broke his world record and surpassed the 20-foot barrier in the pole vault for the second time in four days Tuesday at a meet in his hometown of Donetsk, near Moscow.

Soviet television reported that Bubka cleared 20 feet one-half inch.

Bubka, 27, became the first man to vault 20 feet last Saturday in a meet at San Sebastian, Spain, going 20-1/4. His old mark was 19-11 1/2, set at Volgograd on Feb. 9, and Bubka had tried twice in a week to top 20 feet before doing it in Spain.

Bubka also holds the indoor record of 19-10 1/2.