by Armstrong Vas
Doha: Pole vault legend Sergey Bubka (pictured) said the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha will help in the development of the sport and open doors for countries with similar climate to host major sporting events.
“It is very important for athletics to be present in different parts of the world, especially in this region (Middle East). It is unique area with special climate,” said the Ukrainian, who is in Doha to witness the opening round of the IAAF Diamond League, to be held on Friday at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium.
“The World Championship here will open new areas with special stadiums having air-conditioning system. Whenever I travel around the world, I hear about other areas with similar climate and this would really help our sports grow further,” said the 51-year-old, who dominated the pole vault event during an illustrious career spanning two decades.
Bubka, who is a regular visitor to Qatar, is confident that Qatar would deliver a big show during the 2019 Worlds and said it would take the sport to a new level in terms of development.
“Athletics is No 1 sport in the Olympics. When you host such a big event as the World Championships, you will try to engage youth, new generation, people of Qatar and neighbouring countries. This area is very crucial for athletics. It is really great to have the World Championships here.”
Bubka is amazed at the rapid growth of Qatar as a sporting country since the time he competed in the inaugural IAAF Super Grand Prix Meeting in Doha.
“I first came here in 1997 to compete has been coming to Doha regularly after he had competed in the inaugural IAAF Super Grand Prix Meeting in Doha and, as the IAAF president mentioned in his speech today. I saw all these years an incredible development and progress. The kind of attention the Emir, Qatar Olympic Committee and sports people pay to the development of sports, it is just outstanding and unique.
“What the Qatari people are doing in the field of sports under the leadership of the Emir, it’s a great example for the rest of the world,” he said.
Bubka also praised Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) and Asian Athletic Association (AAA) President Dahlan Jumaan Al Hamad for his role in the rise of athletics not only in his nation, but also in the region and continent.
“He (Dahlan) is very valuable and important for Qatar, the region and Asia. He has worked a great deal for the progress of athletics and deserves a lot of credit for playing his role well.”
Bubka still holds the outdoor record for pole vault while Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie broke the indoor bench mark in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk in February last year.
“I’m very happy for Renaud for breaking my record in my event. It was great to see Renaud break the record in my hometown and in the meet I have been hosting for the last 25 years.
“So it was a great celebration of the 25th anniversary of the meet last year. I’ve passed the baton to Renaud. I had sent him a message to get well fast after his injury. I’m sure he will break many more indoor and outdoor records in the future,” added Bubka, who set and broke both the outdoor and indoor world records 35 times from 1981 to 2001.
The Peninsula
