Sergey Bubka: This will be a fantastic Games (photo attached)

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.