Sergey Bubka Unveils his New Graphic Biography Book for Children and Athletics' Encyclopedia in Tbilisi

Sergey Bubka, IAAF Vice President, unveiled ‘Flying Bubka,’ a new biography aimed at young people, at a special conference in Tbilisi, Georgia ahead of the Summer European Youth Olympic Festival.

The book is a life story of a common boy who grew up in challenging social environment but overcame the challenges of his circumstances and became an outstanding athlete who continues to serve sport in a role of a successful administrator. The hand-drawn 50-page book covers Bubka’s entire life from early childhood and his first steps in sport through his illustrious pole vault career until the present day where Bubka works as a high profile manager.

The second book presented at the event is ‘Track&Field. Encyclopedia in Q&A’ written by Professor Maria Bulatova and Sergey Bubka. The 500+ pages’ folio provides the fullest set of knowledge about the sport’s disciplines and regulations, records, history, stars and traditions, strengthened by amazing graphics, quizzes and stats. The IAAF President Lamine Diack said in the foreword to the ‘Encyclopedia’: "I am sure the book will very soon find a place in many bookshelves, as it showcases athletics as a basis for any physical activity, but also as the Olympic sport which contributes most to the success and magic of the Olympic Games".

The presentation was attended by many athletics National federation leaders, the representatives of the EOC, EYOF Organizing Committees and athletics National Federations, as well as by Georgian Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, National Olympic Committees, UNICEF and UNESCO representatives.

Speaking at the presentation for media and honorable guests, Bubka, who is PhD and Professor in Olympic sport of the Ukraine Academy of Science, as well as the author and co-author of more than dozen of sport-related books and publications, said: "I am very excited to have the opportunity to reach out to young people and catch their attention, provoke and inspire, ultimately being helpful for them to find their own way to success and happiness in life.

"It is a very exciting moment, as I introduce my life story and I hope I can show them through my story that from humble beginnings, it is possible to achieve great things. The ‘Track&Field Encyclopedia is the next step for young athletes who are involved in athletics and want to know more about the sport they go for, but it is also a source of comprehensive knowledge for all sport fans all over the globe. If we want the future generations to be healthy and strong, we have to involve young people in sport, to inspire them to live an active life, to educate them and surely to support young athletes. I strongly believe that athletics, which is so universal and yet so unique, fits perfectly to engage with kids.

"I am proud and fortunate to have been able to dedicate my whole life to athletics, and now I continue to serve it as a sport administrator contributing to its global promotion and involvement of young people to sport."

Bubka has a strong track record of promoting athletics to young audiences, having worked with international organizations as well as setting up his own initiatives in Ukraine.

Bubka added: "Since 1990 the 90s when the Sergey Bubka Sport Club was launched, I’ve done everything possible to provide young people with opportunities and knowledge to get involved in sport, trying to inspire and educate them.

"Engagement with the future generations of athletes and sport lovers is one of the key pillars of my vision of the future of our sport. I am amazed that so many members of our Athletics family, as well as many colleagues from the Olympic movement and global organizations like UNESCO and UNICEF share my ideas, and if elected as IAAF President I will support every possible initiative to further involve young people in athletics."

Reigning pole vole record holder Renaud Lavillenie is one of the first people to read ‘Flying Bubka’ and praised the concept of the book and Bubka’s vision for the future of sports.

Renaud commented: "Sergey Bubka has always been a hero for me – both as an athlete an as a personality. When I was a kid his records give me inspiration to pole vault, while now I admire his activity as a sport administrator and share his vision of the future of athletics. I know from my own experience how important it is for young athletes to have the role models whose steps they could follow.

‘Flying Bubka’ is Sergey’s great initiative. The book shows the way of true champion – from the beginning to the pinnacle. It sends very important message that there is nothing impossible if you are persistent and committed to what you are doing. I wish I have got this book when I was a kid myself. Thanks Sergey and great ‘Flying Bubka’ is translated into many languages. I hope this book will bring more future champions to sport."

Bubka also praised the European Olympic Committees and his President Patrick Hickey, the Organizing Committee of the European Youth Olympic Festival in Tbilisi and its head Aleksi Akhvlediani, who is also President of Georgian Athletics federation, and representatives of athletics National Federations, saying: "It was important for me to unveil the book here in Tbilisi, where 3800 young athletes from 50 NOCs have gathered to make their first steps in international elite sport. I know how much youth sport, including athletics, is supported here, how many young people are taken from the streets and brought to the sport venues built and reconstructed in Georgia with inspiration and enthusiasm. Athletics is a core sport for every Olympic sport, and I am happy the EYOF organizers treat our sport accordingly creating great backdrop for the competitions of the best European young athletes. The IAAF must certainly provide every possible support for the Member Federations to participate in the youth multisport events like EYOFs and Youth Olympic Games, promoting athletics for the young people in their regions".

Representative from UNESCO Lali Meskhi said at the presentation "One of the main priorities of UNESCO to take young generation to healthy life. I’m sure, sport is brilliant tool that helps young people to grow healthy and to find the right way in their lives. I would like to say Sergey Bubka thank you very much for your efforts and for what are you doing. I think that your books and you personally will do many-many good things to change our world for better."

UNISEF representative Dijana Duric added, "Sport really can be a magic transforming our lives started from the young age. Sport can make champions but it also can be much more than that because not everybody could become the champion and set 35 world records. Sport is much more important to give a purpose in life, to give positive energy for young people and to learn other aspects of life. These publications will bring many necessary knowledge and examples for all us and future generations."

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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