IAAF COUNCIL MEETING
Dear IAAF Council Members, Dear Friends! Men of wisdom say that when you open your heart to people, you feel uplied and joyful. For many years my heart is open to you and to everyone who is fascinated by Athletics the most intriguing and most unique sport. Now I sincerely would like to present for you the real heart of my country, the capital of Ukraine Kyiv. Cobwebs of ancient and modern architecture, unique and warm aura of this city and the hospitality of the Ukrainians are not only for productive work, but they make Kyiv’s guests return to unforgettable streets once again. I sincerely believe all the current members of IAAF Council will come back to Kyiv soon to enjoy the twists and turns of the major Athletics competitions. The first steps do not always come easily, but the first international steps of Ukrainian Athletics were made, organizing the competitions of the European level. Every year we gain experience, we grow and develop and therefore we strive to reach the world arena. Our country presented to the world many legendary names in Athletics. Valeriy Borzov, Vladymyr Holubnychy, Valeriy Brumel, Vladymyr Kuts, Nadezhda Tkachenko, Olga Bryzgina, Yuriy Sedykh are shining examples in sports today. Many generations of our athletes grew up and trained initiating
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them. Yuriy Bilonog and Nataliya Dobrynska are teaching the current young athletes to be strong and steady, teach the rules of Fair Play. The IAAF Council is directly involved in the creation and adoption of these rules in Athletics. The future of Athletics, its popularity, entertainment and eventfulness depends on our decisions and directions which we choose for the development of our sport. I sincerely wish that Kyiv in August will become for you the place of ardent debates and fascinating discussions, fruitful work, farseeing decisions and, of course, the pleasant place for rest and unforgettable excursions to the deep history of my native Ukraine. With love from the whole Olympic Family of Ukraine,
Sergey Bubka President of the NOC of Ukraine IAAF Senior Vice-President Hero of Ukraine