Sergey Bubka

Serhiy Bubka is a Ukrainian former pole vaulter born on 4 December 1963, widely regarded as the greatest pole vaulter in history. He was the first to clear 6.0 metres and 6.10 metres, and he broke the world record a remarkable 35 times (17 outdoors, 18 indoors), holding the indoor record of 6.15 metres from 1993 to 2014 and the outdoor record of 6.14 metres from 1994 to 2020.

Bubka won the 1988 Olympic title and captured a record six consecutive World Championship gold medals. He also won a record four World Indoor titles, the 1985 European Indoor Championship, the 1986 European Championship, and seven IAAF Grand Prix Final titles. He represented the Soviet Union from 1981 until its dissolution in 1991, then competed for Ukraine until his retirement in 2001. He was twice named Athlete of the Year by Track and Field News and was inducted as one of 24 inaugural members of the IAAF Hall of Fame in 2012.

Since retiring, Bubka has served as Senior Vice President of World Athletics since 2007 and was President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine from 2005 to 2022. He is also an Honorary Member of the International Olympic Committee. His older brother Vasiliy Bubka was also a medal-winning pole vaulter.