Vicky Parnov remains cautious despite enormous potential

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Parnov and Twell remain cautious despite enormous potential - IAAF World Junior Championships

Vicky Parnov of Australia during the Press Conference (Getty Images)
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When your auntie is the 2000 Olympic silver medallist Tatiana Grigorieva and your father one of the world’s top pole vault coaches perhaps it was no great surprise Vicky Parnov took up the discipline.

However, even taking that rich heritage into consideration the 17-year-old Australian’s accomplishments have made eye-catching reading.

Born in Moscow, Parnov moved to Australia aged six when her father, Alex (himself a 5.82m pole-vaulter), took up a key coaching position in the country.

Speaking at the official press conference ahead of the IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz (July 8-13) Parnov, the World Youth champion, insisted however it was the thrill of watching the pole vault at the 2000 Olympics which persuaded her to take up the sport.

“I saw how exciting the event was,” said Parnov. “I was nine years old when I said to my dad I want to do the pole vault. He said, ‘That’s okay, if that’s what you want’ and it all started from there.”

Parnov proved a quick learner and at the tender age of just 14 made her international championship debut at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Morocco, finishing fourth and just outside of the medals.

In 2006 she gained more crucial experience, placing sixth at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in front of more than 80,000 passionate home fans and later that year landed a bronze medal with 4.20m at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Beijing.

Last year her progress continued when she struck gold at the IAAF World Youth Championships with 4.35m and also earned vital experience competing for Australia at the World Championships in Osaka which she hopes will stand her in good stead in Bydgoszcz.

“You know what to do and what other people are doing,” she said of having competed at so many major championships. “You know how to act.”

Parnov’s father also coaches Australian 6.00m vaulters Steve Hooker and Paul Burgess and Commonwealth champion Kym Howe in Perth, Western Australia and the blonde-haired teenager admitted she is fortunate to be part of such a quality group.

But does it ever get awkward being coach by your dad?

“Not really, it’s actually really good,” she insisted. “He is the best coach ever. He’s really supportive and motivates me really well.”

Parnov’s best of 4.40m makes her formidable opponent in Bydgoszcz and to maximise her chances of performing well in Poland she has been based in Europe since mid-June, competing in Germany and Sweden.

However, the modest Parnov - whose 14-year-old sister, Liz, has also jumped 4.05m - was not getting too carried by her chances of striking gold in Poland.

“I just want to go out there make the final,” she added. “I’m not setting any goals. I’m just hoping to try my best and make the final.