Liz Parnov
Elizaveta Parnov | |
|---|---|
| Born | Elizaveta Parnova May 9, 1994 Moscow, Russia |
| Occupation(s) | Pole vaulter, marketing manager, reality TV contestant |
| Years active | 2003–2022 (athletics) |
| Known for | Pole vaulting; winner of Australian Survivor: Heroes V Villains |
Elizaveta "Liz" Parnov (born Parnova, 9 May 1994, Moscow) is a Russian-Australian pole vaulter known for her participation in the 2020 Summer Olympics, 2019 World Athletics Championships, and 2018 Commonwealth Games. Additionally, she gained recognition as the winner of Australian Survivor: Heroes V Villains.
Early life
Athletic excellence runs in Parnov’s family, particularly in pole vaulting. She is the niece of Tatiana Grigorieva, who earned a silver medal for Australia in women’s pole vault at the 2000 Summer Olympics, and granddaughter of Natalya Pechonkina, a bronze medalist in the women’s 400m representing the Soviet Union at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Her family moved to Australia when she was two years old, in 1996. Parnov began competing in pole vault at age nine, initially clearing 2.65m. She established world age bests at ages 11 (3.15m in 2005) and 12 (3.64m in 2006), and exceeded four meters shortly after turning 14 in 2008.
Pole vault career
In 2010, shortly before turning 16, Parnov earned silver at the first-ever Youth Olympic Games with a vault of 4.40m and had the honor of being Australia’s flag bearer. That same year, she also took part in the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi.
Parnov claimed a silver medal at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics in Lille. Her personal record of 4.50m, set on 17 February 2012 in Perth, stands as the Australian under-20 record, surpassing her sister’s previous benchmark. Despite this mark exceeding the World Youth Record, she was not eligible for that title as she turned 18 during 2012.
During the 2020 Olympic Games, Parnov cleared 4.40m and ranked 12th in qualifying rounds; however, she was controversially eliminated after officials allowed competition to continue amid heavy rainfall, compelling her to attempt jumps under hazardous conditions.
After pole vaulting
In December 2022, Parnov announced on Instagram her departure from professional athletics to pursue other interests. She currently serves as marketing manager for streetwear company StreetX and is undertaking studies in global media and communications at Murdoch University.
In November 2022, it was confirmed that she would compete on the tenth season of Australian Survivor, which premiered on Network 10 in January 2023. Parnov ultimately won the season along with the $500,000 prize.
Personal life
Her training was guided by her father, Alex Parnov, who himself was an elite pole vaulter at the international level. Her elder sister, Vicky Parnov, also competes in pole vaulting and secured the title of Australian national champion in 2012.
By 2023, Parnov has been publicly known to be in a relationship with Daniel Bradshaw, the entrepreneur behind StreetX.
Achievements
| Representing Template:AUS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Oceania Youth Championships | Sydney, Australia | 1st | Pole vault | 3.95m |
| Youth Olympic Games | Singapore | 2nd | Pole vault | 4.25m | |
| 2011 | Oceania Youth Championships | Sydney, Australia | 2nd | Pole vault | 3.85m |
| World Youth Championships | Lille, France | 2nd | Pole vault | 4.20m | |
| 2012 | Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom | — | Pole vault | NM |
| 2017 | World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 15th (q) | Pole vault | 4.35m |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Australia | 5th | Pole vault | 4.40m |
| 2019 | World Championships | Doha, Qatar | 28th (q) | Pole vault | 4.35m |
| 2021 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | 24th (q) | Pole vault | 4.25m |