WORLD-CLASS TRAINER VITALY PETROV — VITALY PETROV FB

VITALY PETROV has a Facebook page but never really posts that much except for reading messages and answering birthday greetings. In fact, his last post came on June 24, 2019 when he updated his profile picture.

On Wednesday, the 84-year-old pole-vault coach, who has produced a world champion in legendary Sergey Bubka and Olympic gold medalist Thiago Braz, made the exception to defend Filipino Olympian and Asian record-holder Ernest John “EJ” Obiena.

“From the seven years of work that I have done with EJ, I have never heard PATAFA (Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association) or Mr. Philip Juico ask me what they can do to help me develop EJ,” said Mr. Petrov. “I have coached EJ for seven years and have helped him jump 5.93m, which is the current Asian record.

“Money has never been an issue. There are even times where I spend my own money, like paying for a gymnastic coach to help EJ improve,” he added.

Mr. Petrov said the controversy was bad timing since Mr. Obiena is now on the cusp of achieving greater heights and the impasse derails the latter’s development.

“We are now a true contender in the event and one of the best pole-vaulters in the world. Now that the time has come for EJ to realize his hard work, reap the reward of our time and effort then suddenly PATAFA cancels me as their coach,” said Mr. Petrov.

Mr. Petrov was referring to the recommendation of the PATAFA fact-finding body expelling him and Mr. Obiena from the national team. The implementation of the proposal was temporarily shelved due to the mediation.

But now that Mr. Obiena has formally declined it, PATAFA is expected to drop the hammer on Messrs. Obiena and Petrov soon.

Mr. Petrov said he is aghast that a world champion coach like himself is getting this kind of harsh treatment.

“I am a coach who have trained and prepared multiple World Champions, Olympic Champions/Record holder and 30 world records under my 57 years of coaching Pole Vault. Never have I been scorned by any federation of any nation that I have worked with,” said Mr. Petrov.

“Now, PATAFA and Mr. Philip Juico who has never done anything to help me, drops me as a coach and remove my athlete that has a great future in this sport.

“If this Federation is dropping a world-class athlete instead of helping; drops his coach who have trained him to be one of the best pole-vaulters, brands a sport patron persona non grata who has done nothing but helped bring this Filipino boy to where he is now, then I ask what is this federation doing,” he added. — Joey Villar

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR