Six times world champion (between 1983 and 1997), European champion in 1986 and Olympic champion in 1988, dubbed the “Vaulting Czar”, the Ukrainian pole-vaulter Serhiy Bubka is surely one of the most famous athletes in the world and also considered one of the most outstanding sportsmen of modern times. His indoor and outdoor world records set in 1993 still remain unchallenged.
After retirement from competition in 2001, he became the first Ukrainian chairman of the Athletes’ Commission of the International Olympic Committee in 2002. The Committee is engaged in, among other things, the fight against doping, the promotion of women’s participation in the Olympic movement and environmental protection.
Bubka is the founder, sponsor and trainer of a children’s sports club in Donetsk, which has 300 members. He is also a member of the Public Regional Coordination Council for Social Protection of Disabled Children and Orphans.
Named three times World Sportsman of the Year, Mr. Bubka was designated UNESCO Champion for Sport in 2003 in recognition of his role in the promotion of peace and tolerance through sport and the Olympic spirit, his humanitarian activities in favour of young people, his action to enable disadvantaged children to benefit from physical education, and his dedication to the Organization’s ideals.
