Updated：2007-08-03

Chairman of the IOC Athlete's Commission Sergey Bubka

Video: Interview of Sergey Bubka (.wmv windows media)

Sergey Bubka, Olympic gold medallist and world record holder in the pole vault, recently sat down with the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. During the interview, Mr. Bubka talked about his enthusiasm for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

In his career as a pole vaulter, Sergey Bubka won six World Track and Field Championship gold medals, broke 35 world records, won gold medals at the World Cup, European track and field championships, and 1988 Olympic Games, and set a world record of 6.14m 14 years ago, a record that has yet to be broken.

Nothing like the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

With one year to go before the start of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Mr. Bubka is optimistic about the success of the Games and excited about being in China. "I think this will be a fantastic Games," Mr. Bubka said. "For people from different parts of the world it's a great opportunity to come and to see, discover China, discover the Games, to see new heroes."

Games preparations "going very well"

Through his work a member of the IOC Coordination Commission, Mr. Bubka is confident that the preparations for the Games are "going very well."

Says Mr. Bubka, "Generally you can see that Olympic movement really encourages the entire nation to host and organize a very successful Games. I think this is very clear and you can see it."

As a former athlete, Mr. Bubka also has some insight on the assistance and services required by athletes. To ensure the athletes' best results and performances, Mr. Bubka emphasized fist-class venues and services in the Olympic Village so that athletes can properly prepare and feel at home.

Chinese athletes will shine

With China hosting the Beijng 2008 Olympic Games, Chinese athletes will have a chance to show the world what they can do.

"When you host the Games, it's really great motivation for local athletes [for a] very successful competition in the Games," explained Mr. Bubka.

At last year's IAAF World Junior Championships he witnessed a lot of talented Chinese athletes compete and perform very well, and he expects to see these athletes do very well at next year's Games. Mr. Bubka saw the "successful potential future" of these young athletes.

"I will be not surprised [if they] win a lot of medals at the Beijing Games," he commended.

Torchbearers with Olympic values

Having participated in several Olympic Torch Relays, Mr. Bubka has a good idea of what it takes to be a successful torchbearer.

"To be a torchbearer is a big honor; you should be a good person ... and also a person who shares the Olympic values, who respects others, [and] also tries to be the best in their work, and of course build [friendly] relations. Such people really deserve the honor to run with torch."

Mr. Bubka recalls his experience in 2004, when the torch came to Ukraine, his home country. Chinese citizens will feel the same sense of excitement. It will be a great celebration for China, with millions of people along the route supporting the torchbearers.

Athletes can contribute to the Olympic Movement

The seasoned athlete and "king of pole vaulting" has retired from athletic competition, but he remains highly involved in the world of sports, as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and as Chairman of the IOC Athlete's Commission.

The IOC made a key decision in 1999 to allow active athletes become IOC members. "For me the sport life is always one of the most important things."

When Bubka retired in 2000, he decided to bid for membership on the IOC executive board and represent the athlete's point of view.

"I think it's important to share [my] experience and knowledge, which I gained through my sport career. And when athletes become IOC members ...[they] participate in development of Olympic movement, participate in the decision, and represent the views and experiences of the athletes."

Celebrate "real Olympism" in Beijing

With his IOC responsibilities, Mr. Bubka will be extremely busy during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Nevertheless, he will make time to be a spectator as well.

For Mr. Bubka, there is only one opportunity to see each Olympic Games, and he is eager to see the new generation of athletes who will be competing in Beijing. "For sure there will be new stars who will appear on the Olympic podium."

He hopes that spectators from around the world will be able to come and enjoy the Game and "celebrate real Olympism."