Sergei Bubka bids adieu

DONETSK (UKRAINE), FEB. 5. The world's best ever pole vaulter, Sergei Bubka ended his glittering career in front of 6,000 of his home fans in the Dzuzhba Sports Arena here on Sunday.

The Donetsk meeting was a farewell party for Bubka after a career spanning 18 years in which he has won an unprecedented six World championships, although just one Olympic gold, in Seoul in 1988.

It is as a thrilling record-setter that Bubka will be remembered at the Donetsk meeting in 1993 when he cleared 6.15 metres, which is still the World indoor record. He also holds the World outdoor mark at 6.14m.

Bubka was born at Lugansk, 120 kilometres from Donetsk in December 1963, the son of an army officer and a nurse.

Bubka praised his home fans for their support during his career.``It's a joyful but also a very sad day for me,'' he added, ``I earned certain success as a pole vaulter but I would never reach it without your support.''

``I feel sorry at the end of my career as an active athlete but I'm happy to stay in sport in a role of a sports official. I hope I will be successful in a new role as well.''

Bubka, 37, was referring to his recent appointment as an executive committee member in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as well as a member of the Ukrainian Athletics Federation Council and has a place on the IAAF commission. Donetsk regional Governor, Viktor Yanukovich announced that Ukraine's President, Leonid Kuchma had named Bubka a hero of Ukraine.

Prince Albert of Monaco, IAAF President, Lamine Diack and Ukrainian international football striker, Andrei Shevchenko sent video tapes with their congratulations to Bubka, which were broadcast on screens at the arena.

World pole vault record holder, Sergei Bubka of Ukraine with a bouquet of roses during a farewell ceremony in his hometown of Donetsk on Sunday.

- AP

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