Ukrainian Sergy Bubka has confirmed that he will challenge fellow Olympic champion Lord Sebastian Coe for the presidency of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
In November Lord Coe, the current vice-president of the IAAF, announced that he would stand for the presidency of the organisation when the incumbent Lamine Diack stands down later this year.
As many expected, he will face competition from former pole vault world record holder Bubka.
The 51-year-old Ukrainian is the current head of his own country’s Olympic Committee and has said that he looks to build upon the foundations laid down by Diack but has stressed the need for new measures to engage the stars of tomorrow.
“We also need to provide greater grassroots support to inspire the next generation of athletes” said the 1988 Olympic Champion.
“We need to better engage with young people and build new audiences; and we need to ensure protection of clean sport.”
Candidates must register their intention to stand for the IAAF presidency by May, with the election due to take place at the IAAF Congress in Beijing in August.
