European Games Vital for Sports Development, Says Bubka

Sergey Bubka, IAAF Vice President and IOC Executive Board member, has praised the success of the first European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, and believes the event assist with the development of new athletes in future.

Bubka, who is a member of Baku 2015 Coordination Committees, has been impressed by the efforts of the Local Organizing Committee who prepared the inaugural European Games in Azerbaijan.

Bubka said: "This is the first European Games and I’m very excited to see well-organized competitions at all the Games’ arenas. The Baku 2015 Organizing Committee has been really professional and delivered superb Games and I believe that the legacy put in place by them, the Azerbaijani government and European Olympic Committee will have such a great impact on the development of sport not only in the country but also the region, Europe and beyond.

"It’s always difficult to be the pioneer and to open a new page in European sporting history but it looks as if the Azerbaijani people have taken to their status as pioneers. Baku 2015 has laid superb foundations for the European Games of the future."

As former athlete and IAAF Vice President, Bubka believes that the athletics events at future European Games will grow and praised the organization of the Street Athletics Jumping meeting. Bubka himself has underlined the importance of innovative athletics events to engage new audiences as part of his Program for the IAAF Presidency.

Bubka added: "For sure, the Pole Vault and High Jump events in the main city square will be iconic memories from the inaugural European Games. This kind of competition is very special and when I was an athlete, I liked intimate events like these. They create a unique atmosphere where you compete close to spectators and can feel their energy and support more keenly, which inspires the athletes.

"You only have to recall the Pole Vault world record set by Renaud Lavillenie in February 2014 at the Pole Vault Stars’ meeting in Donetsk. I’m happy to see that many world class jumpers are to perform in Baku including reigning world champions Raphael Holzdeppe and Bohdan Bondarenko. I am convinced that by staging athletics events on the streets and in town squares, more young people will engage in sport and not hang around on the streets with little to do."

Bubka also praised the desires of both EAA President Svein Arne Hansen and EOC President Patrick Hickey to encourage ‘stronger standards’ of athletics at future European Games.

Bubka commented: "The dialogue between the two Presidents is certainly a cause for optimism and requires further discussion between European National Athletics Federations. I support all ideas and initiatives that can help us to take athletics to new heights. Here in Baku I discussed this question with many European colleagues, among them President of Latvian Athletic Federation Guntis Zalitis also forcefully supports idea to expand athletics at next European Games and to bring strongest European athletes to compete here in future.

"That said, for small countries and National Federations, Baku 2015 is great opportunity to be the part of grand sports event, to get big competition experience, to fulfil qualification standards for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games and to feel an integral part of strong European sport family.

"I strongly support the European Athletics Council decision to back President Hansen’s proposals to provide a support package for a new competition to be organised by the Small States of Europe in the Olympic year, starting in 2016. I know how many countries, not only in Europe but all over the world, need our help and support. For small countries and small National Federations this support is vital.

"One of the key pillars of my manifesto for the IAAF Presidency is to ensure support for every National Federation. Each has its own challenges and opportunities and the IAAF must provide the guidance and resources needed to ensure athletics can flourish.

"I believe that IAAF officials must visit them and meet with the local governments to show the full support to National Federations and discuss ways to develop athletics. We must enhance and establish new grants to develop new programs for Members and we need to increase grants for National Federations. Strong National Federations will create a stronger IAAF and a stronger Athletics Family worldwide."

After a distinguished career as an athlete, Bubka has served for the past 15 years in various senior positions at the IAAF, IOC and Ukraine National Olympic Committee and has always been an advocate for the development of athletics and other sports worldwide.

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.

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