The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded its prestigious 2024 Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award to Jane Figueiredo, a diving coach from Zimbabwe and Portugal, and Vitaliy Petrov, a pole vault coach from Ukraine. Both were honored at a ceremony held at Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, presided over by IOC President Thomas Bach.
These awards recognize the unwavering commitment of coaches to their disciplines and athletes, highlighting their influence both in sports and on a personal level. Thomas Bach praised the honorees, stating: “Figueiredo and Petrov have inspired countless athletes to reach their full potential, leaving an indelible legacy in their respective sports.”
THE REMARKABLE CAREER OF JANE FIGUEIREDO
Jane Figueiredo, who competed as an Olympic athlete for Portugal in Los Angeles 1984, has coached seven Olympic medalists, including Tom Daley and Matty Lee. Since 2014, she has led Great Britain’s diving team while actively advocating for female coaches in a traditionally male-dominated field.
“Receiving this award is a dream come true,” said Figueiredo, who also organizes seminars for young female coaches. Tom Daley, her most prominent protégé, expressed: “Jane has not only made me a better athlete but also a better person.”
VITALIY PETROV: A LEGEND IN POLE VAULTING
Vitaliy Petrov, with more than 60 years of experience, has mentored athletes who have set 36 world records, including the legendary Sergii Bubka, an Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion. Petrov is also celebrated for his technical innovations, which helped his athletes achieve historic milestones, such as clearing six meters in pole vaulting.
“This award not only celebrates my work but also the trust of the athletes I coached,” said Petrov. Ernest John Obiena, whom Petrov guided to Olympic qualification, added: “Vitaliy doesn’t just coach athletes; he coaches people. He has made me better both in and out of the sport.”
A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AND LEARNING
Since its inception in 2017, the IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards have recognized exceptional figures in sports. This year, over 110 nominations were submitted by National Olympic Committees, International Federations, and Olympic athletes.
In addition to these awards, the IOC continues to promote initiatives such as the WISH program, which encourages the participation of women coaches in high-performance sports. This effort aims to advance gender equality at all levels of sports.
A TRIBUTE TO THE PILLARS OF ATHLETIC SUCCESS
The ceremony in Lausanne underscored the critical role of coaches in athletes’ lives. “Figueiredo and Petrov are living examples of the impact a coach can have, transforming lives and creating champions,” concluded Sergii Bubka, President of the IOC Athletes’ Entourage Commission.
These awards not only honor the past but also inspire future generations to continue the tradition of excellence in sports.