Former World Pole Vault Champion Sergei Bubka hosted media in London to an expensive lunch in London at a very up-market eatery last week as the race for the Presidency of the International Olympic Committee hots up.
Should he fail in his tilt for the presidency he is looking to land the top job in World Athletics, due to become vacant in 2015 when IAAF President Lamine Diack steps down. However it is believed that that role is already going to go to Lord Coe. The man behind the hugely successful London Olympic Games and a former double Olympic Gold medallist in the 1500m. Bubka despite dominating the pole vault for many years only managed one Olympic Gold in the event at Seoul in 1988, yet won six World Championship titles. However should Coe take the IOC Presidency then Bubka would be the ideal man to take over at the IAAF.
Both are popular choices for the Presidency as both advocate a four-year ban on drug cheats and anyone in the athlete’s entourage associated with drug cheating, but many believe that at 49 Bubka will be deemed too young for the Presidency. Coe at 57 in September is believed to be closer to the age the IOC feel suits their cause.
Time will tell but if these two great athletes share the positions the sport should be in good hands.
