She's the 'chick on a stick'

She is close to securing a massive new kit deal with Nike which should see her earnings soar from around $400,000 (£266,000) last year to more than $1m (£660,000) this year. Not bad for a girl who was earning around $15,000 (£10,000) a year from waitressing before her athletics career took off.

To her, the sex appeal of the sport is part of its new-found popularity. But that doesn't mean she doesn't want to keep pushing back the boundaries for women who were told the event was not for them.

She said: "I am not a huge feminist, who thinks women can do what men do. It's simply that we were told it wasn't an event we should be doing. We were told it wasn't right for us.

"People might still think that and disagree with the fact it's become an Olympic event but at least we have been given the choice. Sex appeal has played a big part in the popularity and I don't mind that at all. Obviously, we don't want to be seen simply as pretty little sex objects.

"A lot of people never dreamed that women might be able to jump as high as we are but at the same time most of the top girls still have a feminine character. We are not overly muscular and away from competition we like to wear dresses and are a bit more glamorous.

"I think that appeals but we're not just there to look pretty. It's about finding the right balance between glamour and being competitive."

The Sydney effect, she says, is still being felt in America where the pole vault has become popular among schoolgirls eager to follow in her footsteps.

She added: "Women's pole vaulting is definitely going in the right direction now, there's a lot of interest in the event. It's come a long way in a very short space of time. A lot of fans were surprised at first at how high we can jump and that's why it's taken off really.

"It's great to be a part of that, and certainly in the States it's getting a big following now. One of the nicest things is that I am meeting young girls who watched the Olympics in Sydney and who have since taken the event up. High schools are reporting a massive surge in interest in the event and I have enjoyed talking to youngsters who want to do it and helping them with their technique. I would like to think that I have helped with that."

Dragila says she is just hitting good form after the disappointment of missing out on a medal at the World Indoor Championships in Lisbon in March. And she is determined to win back the world title she lost in Seville in 1999. Crucial to her preparation for this year's championships in Edmonton will be the Norwich Union British Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on 22 July.

The meeting, which she has agreed to compete in for the first time, will be her last real test before she flies to Canada a week later.

She will also face the silver medal-list from Sydney, Grigorieva, and Iceland's Bala Flossadottir, who took bronze.

It will be Dragila's first visit to Britain since she made her international debut at the Great Britain versus USA meeting at Gateshead six years ago.

She added: "I have not been to London before so it's a good opportunity for me to see the city. When I came to England before I only went to Gateshead so it's exciting for me.

"Other athletes I have spoken to have told me Crystal Palace is a great meeting and that it's a lot of fun so I'm looking forward to it.

"It will also be key for me as it's the last meeting before the World Championships. It will be a good chance to psyche everyone out.

"My early season work has gone very well, and I hope to jump a lot higher this summer and set a new record and win gold in Edmonton. That would really put women on the map."

Tickets for the Norwich Union British Grand Prix are on sale now and can be obtained by ringing 0870 4444440.