Friday February 24, 05:02 PM
Source
- Former Olympic medallist Tatiana Grigorieva is hoping the home crowd advantage in Melbourne will give her the same lift it did in Sydney six years ago.
The glamorous Russian-born pole vaulter became an overnight star when she won silver in front of a stirring crowd at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
But plagued by injury and a marriage break-up, Grigorieva's form has been disappointing since then, culminating in her failure to qualify for Athens in 2004.
Now, the 30-year-old blonde pin-up is fit and well and has her sights firmly set on next month's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
"I enjoy competing in these kind of situations," Grigorieva told AAP.
"I like big competitions and especially jumping in front of a home crowd, that will be something very, very special and something that is going to give everybody including me a lift."
Grigorieva's biggest challenge will come from West Australian Kym Howe who last month cleared 4.61 metres to grab the national and Commonwealth titles.
Grigorieva scaled 4.55m to win silver in Sydney almost six years ago.
Tough competition will also come from Canada and England, while her 15-year-old niece Vicky Parnov, another jumper from West Australia, will also be in the running.
Grigorieva said she hoped the Melbourne crowd would get behind her and provide the inspiration needed to win gold.
"Olympics was a very special moment for me so I am looking forward to Melbourne competition hoping it is going to be similar," Grigorieva said.
"Hopefully the stadium will be packed with all the Australian supporters."
She is "keeping her fingers crossed" and hoping Melbourne's unpredictable weather will be kind to her.
"Melbourne weather might be a bit unpredictable and a bit tricky and for the pole vaulters it is crucial," she said.
Grigorieva attributed her current good form to her decision to move permanently to the Gold Coast 12 months ago, where she has been training at the Runaway Bay sports centre.
With less than a month to go until the Games begin, Grigorieva is now putting the finishing touches to her stride.
"Training is going well, I am in the final stage of preparation," she said.
"There are still a few things that have to be done, like I am working a lot on the full run up now.
"I was jumping at Nationals with a short run-up, so I am sorting everything out with the long run-up.
"But body feels fine, emotionally, physically, everything feels fine."