Parnov Selection Confirms Family Affair for Glasgow

Western Australian Institute of Sport pole vaulter Vicky Parnov has today been officially selected for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after Athletics Australia announced its final team of 103 athletes.

Parnov joins her previously selected sister Liz in the three-strong women’s pole vault squad, with the third member, former WAIS athlete Alana Boyd (Qld).

Parnov’s selection marks a significant return for the 23 year-old, who in 2007 won gold as a 16 year-old at the Youth World Championships in Ostrava, Czech Rep with a clearance of 4.35m. Parnov also became the youngest Australian to represent her country at a senior World Championships when she wore the green and gold in Osaka, Japan that same year.

Glasgow will be Parnov’s second Commonwealth Games campaign, having competed alongside her Aunt, Tatiana Grigorieva in Melbourne in 2006.

Parnov admitted hearing the formal announcement and receiving the opportunity to compete alongside her sister Liz was overwhelming.

“I’m so stoked, I cried when I got selected – tears of joy of course,” she said. “It means that much to me to be coming back.”

“Competing with Liz is awesome. She’s my best friend, who better to go on an Australian team with?”

With the Parnov girls coached by their father Alex, the family affair will be one of the feel-good stories of this year’s Games. For Vicky, the hard work and sacrifice to achieve selection will give-way to the joy of competition, for an athlete who has known her fair share of injuries.

“My goal is to just give it everything I’ve got. I feel like there’s no pressure on me, so I just want to jump as high as I can.”

Parnov’s selection brought the number of WAIS athletes selected in the Australian athletics team to four. With Liz Parnov (pole vault), Kim Mickle (javelin) and Madison de Rozario (wheelchair racing) previously selected.