Bulgaria's high jump queen Stefka Kostadinova, whose high jump world record has been unbroken for 20 years, said on October 19 she felt it was time to pass on her crown.

"My record of 2.09 m is still unbeaten after 20 years," Kostadinova was quoted by AFP as saying.

"But what is the point of it remaining unbroken any longer? I think that next year Blanka Vlasic has to break it," Kostadinova said.

Croatian Blanka Vlasic won gold at the World Championships in Osaka in 2007 with a jump of 2.05 m. She has set her sights on Kostadinova's record with a personal best of 2.07 m, AFP said.

Kostadinova, who retired in 1998, jumped her record-setting 2.09 m in 1987 in Rome.

For the past couple of years, she has been organising sports events for orphaned children in Bulgaria and this year's event marked the 20 year anniversary of the record.

"This is the best way to celebrate the anniversary. These children really needed me to be here today," AFP quoted Kostadinova as saying.

"I am twice as happy now that I have also made the children happy. My wish is to be able to organise sports events like this four or five times a year," Kostadinova said.

"The state has to show more initiative in helping these kids," Kostadinova told AFP.