Who is sergei bubka

The greatest pole-vaulter in history. He dominated his sport for almost two decades and is the only athlete in history to have won six successive world titles. To find out more, consult our Cookie Policy.

Back Academy Member. Sergey was the first man to break the six-metre barrier, in Paris in , and in March became the first to clear 20 feet 6.

He broke the world record 35 times in his career, finally holding the 6. Despite his dominance, he surprisingly won just one Olympic gold medal in four attempts. The Soviet boycott of the Los Angeles Olympics cost him a virtually certain gold medal but, four years later in Seoul, he needed just one valid jump, a competition record of 5.

Arguably his greatest gold medal was his last, in the World Championships in Athens, where, at 36, he had been written off in the build-up to the event, yet his victory provided one of the great moments in athletics history. I was particularly disappointed in when the political decisions of the communist leaders stopped us going to Los Angeles. We did not have any rights. There was nothing I could do, but in in Barcelona I was quite disappointed as I had won every competition that year.

But in the end I am happy with the gold medal I won in Seoul. It was a special moment. At the end of the s, Bubka was anxious to do something for his home city of Donetsk. He created the Bubka Sports Club which had facilities for youngsters training with ten coaches whose salary he covered. He was prevented from competing in Los Angeles in due to the Soviet boycott — a decision which still hurts him today.

In Seoul in , he won gold but a loss of form and injury hindered his hopes of winning more Olympic medals. He made up for it in the IAAF World Athletics Championships, winning the pole vault event in six consecutive editions from to Gripping the pole higher than most vaulters, Bubka also used speed and strength to create the recoil force that allowed him to be so successful. He officially retired in during a ceremony at his Pole Vault Stars meeting in Donetsk. Almost 20 years later he is still involved as an Honorary Member.

As President of the National Olympic Committee in Ukraine since , he has transformed the organisation into one of the most progressive in the world. The good of athletics is something deep in my heart. Despite having made a living from his sport, he never forgot his roots or the struggles he faced when growing up in the Soviet era. He spent four years working for the Ukrainian government and also developed a range of business ventures, which he and his family still run today.

Among them is Sergey Bubka Sports Club, established in , which provides training and support for hundreds of young people, many of whom have gone on to win medals at top competitions. It was my dream. Along with his brother he runs a bakery business and has had interests in other ventures, such as gas stations, real estate management companies and food stores.

Unsurprisingly for a man who cherishes loyalty so highly, a number of staff members are friends from his early days as an athlete. We understand each other and because I know how they feel I will try to help them. I cannot just stand by and do nothing. The son of a Red Army praporshik, Bubka almost drowned at the age of four when he fell into a barrel of water used for salting cabbage.

He met gymnast Lilia Tutunik when she was a teenager and he was just 21 and they married in and have been together ever since. My wonderful wife, a former athlete as well, is strong and wise and provides great support for us all. She shares my passion about the importance of sport for society.