Bubka Pledges to Increase Athletics Quota at Pan American Games to Olympic Standard

Sergey Bubka, IAAF Vice President and IOC Executive Board member, has pledged to work with the Pan American Games governing bodies to increase the athletics quota at continental and regional multisport events if elected the IAAF President in August.

Bubka, who praised the high level of organization and the level of competition at the 2015 Pan American Games being held in Toronto, Canada, believes that athletics can play a larger role in the event, which currently features close to 7,000 athletes from 41 nations competing in 36 sports.

Bubka said: "The quota of athletics at the Pan Am Games is close to 10% of all athletes – only 10% – compared to about 20% at Olympic Games. If elected as the IAAF president, I will enhance cooperation with Dr. Julio Maglione, PASO President, and his colleagues to discuss possibilities to increase athletics quota at Pan American Game. We will work together with National Federations in order to bring athletics to top positions at all continental and regional multisport events.

"The importance of the Pan-American Games and other continental multisport events cannot be overestimated. They provide great opportunities for athletes to raise their level of competition and achieve personal best standards. While some will go on to world class events, there are many for whom Continental Games are the highlight of their careers, providing memories which will last a lifetime and inspiring young people from their countries to follow in their footsteps.

"I would like to thank the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) and the Toronto 2015 Organization Committee for their successful efforts to arrange top-level competitions for all Americas countries. These events, together with the Pacific, Asian, All-Africa and European Games, should not only be seen as stepping-stones to the Olympic Games. They represent success in its own right for many of those athletes who take part."

Bubka also made special mention that athletics at the 2015 Pan American Games provided 12 competition Records and plenty of world-class results.

He added: "These competitions give track and field athletes a taste of the unique atmosphere of multi-sport events which is clearly evident in Toronto. You only have to follow social media to feel the excitement among both athletes and spectators. I can feel an electric atmosphere and true Olympic spirit here and that is something I want all athletes to be able to aspire to."

Bubka emphasized his intention to strengthen IAAF efforts for the development of athletics competitions at the World University Games, World Gymnasiades, Masters World Championships and other global events.

Bubka commented: "Athletics, the Olympic #1 sport, should be represented at every international competition level and at every age group. The more competitions we have, the more athletes, including young athletes, receive opportunities to win medals for their countries, universities, schools, clubs, etc. The mission of the IAAF is to help to provide the opportunities. We must cooperate more effectively with the event’s governing bodies in order to promote athletics and involve more youth in the sport".

Sergey Bubka’s commitment to athletics at continental multisport events, as well as at other global competitions, is consistent with his focus on developing the sport by maximizing support for National Federations to operate and develop future generations of track and field talent.

Sergey Bubka is a candidate for the Presidency of the IAAF, and the election will be held in August 2015 during the IAAF Congress in Beijing, China.

His Program, ‘Taking Athletics To New Heights’ is available in six languages (ENG, FRA, SPA, ARA, CHI, RUS). A video presentation of the Program can be viewed on YouTube.

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