Bubka Visits Home Town and Hopes IAAF World Youth Championships Inspire Local Youngsters

Sept. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Pole-Vaulting legend and International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Vice President Sergey Bubka returned to his home city of Donetsk to witness preparations for the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships.

This will be the first IAAF event Ukraine has hosted with the two day visit including an inspection of the 25,000 capacity RSK Olympiysky stadium’s new running track and a tour of the training facilities, warm-up area and throwing fields.

“The preparation for the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championship is going very well,” said Bubka. “It is important that it remains on schedule, both in terms of teams' logistics and venue construction.

“The Organising Committee have been fully supported by the national and local governments and this has benefited the preparations. I'm sure that the Championships will be staged to the highest standards.

“What impresses me most is the legacy that the event will provide the local community and for athletics nationwide. Ukraine now has world class venues and training facilities capable of staging global competitions. Because these venues are located in densely populated areas, we hope this will bring the local children from the streets into sport.”

Bubka, who is also the President of the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee, met with the local authorities' representatives and the event’s organisers, including 2008 silver medallist in the 1500m Iryna Lishchynska.

The IAAF technical partners' group will visit Donetsk in October this year to view and supervise the preparation for the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships.

ENDS