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Pole vault coach Vitaliy Petrov and diving coach Jane Figueiredo, the winners of the Coaches Lifetime Achievement trophy from the International Olympic Committee. Handout/IOC

Pole vault coach Vitaliy Petrov and diving coach Jane Figueiredo, the winners of the Coaches Lifetime Achievement trophy from the International Olympic Committee

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1732004932698111924_PETROV.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Pole vault coach Vitaliy Petrov and diving coach Jane Figueiredo, the winners of the Coaches Lifetime Achievement trophy from the International Olympic Committee. Handout/IOC"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pole vault coach Vitaliy Petrov and diving coach Jane Figueiredo, the winners of the Coaches Lifetime Achievement trophy from the International Olympic Committee. <em>Handout/IOC</em></span></span></span>MANILA -- Legendary pole vault coach Vitaliy Petrov, who counts Filipino star EJ Obiena as one of his students, recently received an honor from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).</div><p>Petrov, along with diving coach Jane Figueiredo, received the Coaches Lifetime Achievement trophy at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland on Sunday in a ceremony attended by IOC President Thomas Bach.</p><p>Both Figueiredo and Petrov have been recognized for their long-standing dedication to their respective sports and the athletes they coach.</p><p>&quot;The IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards celebrate two coaches who have gone above and beyond in assisting their athletes both on the sporting and the personal side, supporting them through their Olympic journeys,&quot; Bach said in a statement.</p><p>&quot;Jane Figueiredo and Vitaliy Petrov have demonstrated unwavering dedication, inspiring countless athletes to reach their full potential. Their passion for coaching has not only produced champions but has also left a lasting legacy in their respective sports,&quot; he added.</p><p>Ukraine&#x27;s Petrov, who visited the Philippines in September for the first time, has been a coach for 60 years. His best known student is Olympic champion Sergey Bubka, whom he coached to two world titles as well.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/9/15/coach-vitaly-petrov-pole-vault-legend-sergey-bubka-believe-ej-obiena-can-podium-in-la-olympics-912">READ: Coach Vitaly Petrov, pole vault legend Sergey Bubka believe EJ Obiena can podium in 2028 LA Olympics</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/9/16/obiena-eyes-new-personal-best-i-can-jump-6-10-m-1335">READ: Obiena eyes new personal best: &#x27;I can jump 6.10-m&#x27;</a></div><p>&quot;Pole vault has been a passion for me for many years. I had the privilege to work with outstanding athletes, who have earned medals at the world&#x27;s biggest competitions and on various continents, reaching an impressive number of world records. I can only thank them for the unforgettable moments I have lived with them and for the trust they put in me every single day,&quot; said Petrov.</p><p>Obiena attended the ceremony with his coach and hailed Petrov for his impact not just on his career as an athlete, but his life as well.</p><p>&quot;Everyone refers to Vitaly as a great pole vault coach. This is the wrong way to frame it. Vitaly doesn&#x27;t coach pole vault, he coaches human beings,&quot; said Obiena. </p><p>&quot;He uses vaulting as a means to improve people. He has made me a better vaulter, but he has made me a better human being. And this is the ultimate measure of greatness,&quot; he added.</p><p>According to the IOC, Petrov&#x27;s &quot;innovative methodologies and refinements of techniques have helped pole vaulters to achieve remarkable feats, including clearing six metres in the 20th century.&quot;</p><p>During his visit to Manila, Petrov praised Obiena&#x27;s achievements while stressing that the two-time Olympian is capable of greater things.</p><p>&quot;I think 6.10-, 6.15 is possible,&quot; Petrov said. &quot;I hope, but he must do this, he believe this. He is ready for this.&quot;</p><p>The ceremony marked the sixth edition of the IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards, which were launched in 2017 to recognise the vital role played by coaches in the life of any athlete – both on and off the field of play. Awarded to two coaches each year (one female, one male), they are overseen by the IOC Athletes&#x27; Entourage Commission, led by Bubka.</p><p>&quot;This award puts a spotlight on the unwavering support offered by coaches to athletes. In recognising Jane Figueiredo and Vitaliy Petrov, we celebrate two extraordinary coaches,&quot; said Bubka, who was coached by Petrov from the beginning of his career and to whom he attributes his successes on the global stage.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/9/16/as-his-son-rises-emerson-obiena-keeps-an-eye-on-pole-vaults-future-1421">READ: As his son rises, Emerson Obiena keeps an eye on pole vault&#x27;s future</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HWmtipNDxeI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iEgfTBz0nes?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div>

Vitaliy Petrov, Obiena's coach, earns Lifetime Achievement award from IOC

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Vitaliy Petrov, Obiena's coach, earns Lifetime Achievement award from IOC

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Published November 19, 2024 04:30 PM PHT

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Updated November 21, 2024 04:24 AM PHT

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