View source for Sergey Bubka

{{Short description|Ukrainian pole vaulter (born 1963)}}
{{For|his son, the tennis player|Sergei Bubka (tennis)}}
{{Family name hatnote|Nazarovych|Bubka|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| honorific_prefix = [[Hero of Ukraine]]
| name = Sergey Bubka
| image = Sergey Bubka 2013.jpg{{!}}border
| image_size = 
| headercolor = lightsteelblue
| caption = Bubka in 2013
| fullname = Serhiy Nazarovych Bubka
| nickname = 
| native_name = Сергій Назарович Бубка
| nationality = Ukrainian
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|12|04|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Luhansk]], [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]], [[Soviet Union]]
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| residence = 
| education = [[PhD]] in [[pedagogy]], [[physical culture]]
| alma_mater = Ukrainian Academy of Pedagogical Science, Kyiv State Institute of Physical Culture
| module = {{Infobox officeholder | embed = yes
   | office        = Chair of the [[National Olympic Committee of Ukraine|NOC of Ukraine]]
   | term_start    = 23 June 2005<ref name="1092448-prizer">{{cite web | url=https://www.unian.ua/sport/1092448-prizer-evroigor-sayko-descho-zasmuchena-ale-rada-y-sriblu.html | title=Ten years ago Serhiy Bubka was placed in charge of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine | last= | first= | website=Unian | date=22 June 2015 | accessdate=11 January 2022 }}</ref>
   | term_end      = 17 November 2022<ref name="872897Gutzeit">{{Cite web|url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/sport/872897.html|title=Gutzeit becomes new President of National Olympic Committee|website=Interfax-Ukraine|date=November 17, 2022}}</ref>
|successor=[[Vadym Gutzeit]]<ref name="872897Gutzeit"/> 
   | predecessor   = [[Viktor Yanukovych]]
 }}
| years_active = 1981–2001
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|80|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.sergeybubka.com}}
| country = {{URS}} (1981–1991) <br /> {{UKR}} (1991–2001)
| sport = [[sport of athletics|Athletics]]
| event = [[Pole vault]]
| turnedpro = 1981
| coach = [[Vitaly Petrov (coach)|Vitaly Petrov]] {{small|(first coach)}}
| retired = 2001
| coaching = 
| worlds = 
| regionals = 
| nationals = 
| olympics = 
| paralympics = 
| highestranking = 
| pb = 
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Sport of athletics|athletics]]}}
{{MedalCount
|total=yes
|[[Olympic Games]]|1|0|0
|[[IAAF World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]|6|0|0
|[[World Athletics Indoor Championships|World Indoor Championships]]|4|0|0
|[[European Athletics Championships|European Championships]]|1|0|0
|[[European Athletics Indoor Championships|European Indoor Championships]]|1|0|0
|[[Goodwill Games]]|1|0|1
|[[IAAF Grand Prix Final]]|7|1|1
|[[IAAF World Cup in Athletics|IAAF World Cup]]|1|0|0
|[[European Cup (athletics)|European Cup]]|1|1|0
}}
{{MedalCountry | the {{URS}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Seoul]]|[[Athletics at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's pole vault|Pole vault]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[IAAF World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalCountry | the {{URS}} }}
{{MedalGold|[[1983 World Championships in Athletics|1983 Helsinki]]|[[1983 World Championships in Athletics – Men's pole vault|Pole vault]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1987 World Championships in Athletics|1987 Rome]]|[[1987 World Championships in Athletics – Men's pole vault|Pole vault]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1991 World Championships in Athletics|1991 Tokyo]]|[[1991 World Championships in Athletics – Men's pole vault|Pole vault]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{UKR}} }}
{{MedalGold|[[1993 World Championships in Athletics|1993 Stuttgart]]|[[1993 World Championships in Athletics – Men's pole vault|Pole vault]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1995 World Championships in Athletics|1995 Gothenburg]]|[[1995 World Championships in Athletics – Men's pole vault|Pole vault]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1997 World Championships in Athletics|1997 Athens]]|[[1997 World Championships in Athletics – Men's pole vault|Pole vault]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Indoor Championships}}
{{MedalCountry | the {{URS}} }}
{{MedalGold |[[1985 IAAF World Indoor Championships|1985 Paris]]|Pole vault}}
{{MedalGold |[[1987 IAAF World Indoor Championships|1987 Indianapolis]]|Pole vault}}
{{MedalGold |[[1991 IAAF World Indoor Championships|1991 Sevilla]]|Pole vault}}
{{MedalCountry | {{UKR}} }}
{{MedalGold |[[1995 IAAF World Indoor Championships|1995 Barcelona]]|Pole vault}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[European Athletics Championships|European Championships]]}}
{{MedalCountry | the {{URS}} }}
{{MedalGold|[[1986 European Championships in Athletics|1986 Stuttgart]]|Pole vault}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[European Athletics Indoor Championships|European Indoor Championships]]}}
{{MedalCountry | the {{URS}} }}
{{MedalGold|[[1985 European Athletics Indoor Championships|1985 Athens]]|Pole vault}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Goodwill Games]]}}
{{MedalCountry | the {{URS}} }}
{{MedalGold|[[1986 Goodwill Games|1986 Moscow]]|[[Athletics at the 1986 Goodwill Games|Pole vault]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{UKR}} }}
{{MedalBronze|[[1994 Goodwill Games|1994 Saint Petersburg]]|[[Athletics at the 1994 Goodwill Games|Pole vault]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[IAAF Grand Prix Final]] }}
{{MedalCountry | the {{URS}} }}
{{MedalGold| [[1985 IAAF Grand Prix Final|1985 Rome]] | Pole vault}}
{{MedalGold| [[1987 IAAF Grand Prix Final|1987 Brussels]] | Pole vault}}
{{MedalGold| [[1991 IAAF Grand Prix Final|1991 Barcelona]] | Pole vault}}
{{MedalGold| [[1991 IAAF Grand Prix Final|1991 Barcelona]] | Overall}}
{{MedalBronze| [[1987 IAAF Grand Prix Final|1987 Brussels]] | Overall}}
{{MedalCountry | {{UKR}} }}
{{MedalGold| [[1993 IAAF Grand Prix Final|1993 London]] | Pole vault}}
{{MedalGold| [[1993 IAAF Grand Prix Final|1993 London]] | Overall}}
{{MedalGold| [[1997 IAAF Grand Prix Final|1997 Fukuoka]] | Pole vault}}
{{MedalSilver| [[1995 IAAF Grand Prix Final|1995 Monaco]] | Pole vault}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[IAAF World Cup in Athletics|IAAF World Cup]]}}
{{MedalCountry | the {{URS}} }}
{{MedalGold|[[1985 IAAF World Cup|1985 Canberra]]|Pole vault}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[European Cup (athletics)|European Cup]] }}
{{MedalCountry | the {{URS}} }}
{{MedalGold | [[1985 European Cup (athletics)|1985 Moscow]] | Pole vault}}
{{MedalCountry | {{UKR}} }}
{{MedalSilver | [[1993 European Cup (athletics)|1993 Rome]] | Pole vault}}
| show-medals = yes
| updated = 8 September 2012
}}

'''Serhiy Nazarovych Bubka''' ({{langx|uk|Сергій Назарович Бубка}}; ''Serhiy Nazarovych Bubka''; born 4 December 1963) is a Ukrainian former [[pole vault]]er. He is the [[Athletics at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's pole vault|1988 Olympic Champion]], a record six-time consecutive [[List of World Athletics Championships medalists (men)#Pole vault|World Champion]], a record four-time [[World Athletics Indoor Championships|World Indoor Champion]], the [[1985 European Athletics Indoor Championships – Men's pole vault|1985 European Indoor Champion]], the [[1986 European Athletics Championships – Men's pole vault|1986 European Champion]] and a seven-time [[IAAF Grand Prix Final]] Champion. Bubka broke the [[Men's pole vault world record progression|world record in men's pole vault]] a record 35 times (17 outdoors, 18 indoors),<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |date=4 February 2001 |title=Bubka says farewell |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/1153086.stm |access-date=26 August 2007 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Most athletics world records set by an individual |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-athletics-world-records-set-by-an-individual |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240831143956/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-athletics-world-records-set-by-an-individual |archive-date=2024-08-31 |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-GB}}</ref> and was the first pole vaulter to clear 6.0 meters and 6.10 meters,<ref name="indoorlist">{{cite web |title=Top Lists: Pole Vault |url=http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=i/age=n/season=0/sex=M/all=y/legal=A/disc=PV/detail.html |access-date=29 June 2009 |publisher=IAAF.org}} (Indoor)</ref><ref name="outdoorlist">{{cite web |title=Top Lists: Pole Vault |url=http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=0/sex=M/all=y/legal=A/disc=PV/detail.html |access-date=29 June 2009 |publisher=IAAF.org}} (Outdoor)</ref> holding the indoor record of 6.15 meters from 1993 to 2014<ref>{{cite web |title=RENAUD LAVILLENIE SETS POLE VAULT WORLD RECORD OF 6.16M IN DONETSK – UPDATED |url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/renaud-lavillenie-pole-vault-world-record |access-date=17 February 2014 |publisher=IAAF}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=RENAUD LAVILLENIE SETS POLE VAULT WORLD RECORD OF 6.16M IN DONETSK – UPDATED |url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/renaud-lavillenie-pole-vault-world-record |access-date=15 February 2014 |publisher=IAAF}}</ref> and outdoor record of 6.14 meters from 1994 to 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pole Vault – men – senior – outdoor |url=http://www.iaaf.org/records/toplists/jumps/pole-vault/outdoor/men/senior |access-date=2017-03-20 |website=Iaaf.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=World Records |url=http://www.iaaf.org/records/by-category/world-records |access-date=2017-03-20 |website=Iaaf.org}}</ref>

Bubka represented the Soviet Union from 1981 until its dissolution in 1991 and Ukraine thereafter until his retirement in 2001. He was twice named Athlete of the Year by ''[[Track & Field News]]'',<ref name="track">{{cite web |url=http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/archive/aoy.html |title=Track and Field Athlete of the Year |publisher=Trackandfieldnews.com |access-date=14 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511100602/http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/archive/aoy.html |archive-date=11 May 2011 }}</ref> and in 2012 was one of 24 athletes inducted as inaugural members of the [[World Athletics|International Association of Athletics Federations]] Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaaf.org/athletes/hall-of-fame/2012 |title=Hall of Fame &#124; Athletes |website=Iaaf.org |access-date=2017-03-20}}</ref>

Bubka serves as Senior Vice President of the [[World Athletics|International Association of Athletics Federations]] (IAAF) since 2007 and served as President of the [[National Olympic Committee of Ukraine]] from 2005 to November 2022. He is also an Honorary Member of the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC), having been involved since 1996. His older brother, [[Vasiliy Bubka]], was also a medal-winning pole vaulter.

==Biography==
Born in [[Luhansk]], Sergey Nazarovych Bubka was a track-and-field athlete in the 100-meter sprint and the long jump, but became a world-class champion only when he turned to the pole vault. In 1983, he won the world championship in [[Helsinki]], Finland, and the following year set his first world record, clearing {{Cvt|5.85|m|ftin}}. Until the dissolution of the USSR in late 1991, Bubka competed for Soviet teams. By 1992, he was no longer bound to the Soviet system, and signed a contract with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]].<ref name="NYTbigshoes">{{cite news|last1=Sandomir|first1=Richard|title=OLYMPICS; Top Athletes Are Being Wooed to Fill Some Big Shoes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/12/sports/olympics-top-athletes-are-being-wooed-to-fill-some-big-shoes.html?pagewanted=2|access-date=2 January 2017|work=The New York Times|date=12 April 1992|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526054258/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/12/sports/olympics-top-athletes-are-being-wooed-to-fill-some-big-shoes.html?pagewanted=2|archive-date=26 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> that rewarded each world record performance with special bonuses of $40,000.<ref name="soresoar">{{cite news|last1=O'Connor|first1=Ian|title=Sore Bubka cannot soar|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/sore-bubka-soar-article-1.747855|access-date=2 January 2017|work=NY Daily News|date=1 August 1996}}</ref>

His son, [[Sergei Bubka (tennis)|Sergei Bubka]] is a former professional tennis player.

From 2002 to 2006, Bubka was a member of the Ukrainian [[Verkhovna Rada]] with the [[Party of Regions]] group and until 2014 an advisor to [[Viktor Yanukovych]].<ref name="mtsb">{{cite news |title=Discover Monaco > Celebrities > Sports Personalities > Sergey Bubka |url=https://www.monaco-tribune.com/en/listing/sergey-bubka/ |access-date=5 April 2023 |publisher=Monaco Tribune}}</ref> He was on the youth policy, physical culture, sport and tourism committee while a MVR.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2021/12/12/sports/sergey-bubka-broke-world-record-35-times | title=Sergey Bubka broke the world record 35 times | last=Fernando | first=Shemal | website=Sunday Observer | date=12 December 2021 | access-date=17 January 2022 }}</ref>

Bubka has been linked to business conducted in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied territories. On 5 March 2022, Bubka professed his love for his homeland after the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], and declared: "Ukraine will win".<ref name="itgdm">{{cite news |last1=Mackay |first1=Duncan |title=Bubka insists "Ukraine will win" after declaring love for country |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1120100/sergey-bubka-says-ukraine-will-win-war |publisher=Inside the Games |date=5 March 2022}}</ref>

==Sporting career==

Sergey Bubka started competing on the international athletics scene in 1981 when he participated in the [[1981 European Athletics Junior Championship|European Junior Championship]] finishing seventh. But the [[1983 World Championship in Athletics|1983 World Championship]] held in [[Helsinki]] was his actual entry point to the world athletics, where a relatively unknown Bubka snatched the gold, clearing 5.70 meters (18 feet 8&nbsp;inches).{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} The years that followed witnessed the unparalleled dominance of Bubka, with him setting new records and standards in pole vaulting.

He set his first world record of 5.85m on 26 May 1984 which he improved to 5.88m a week later, and then to 5.90m a month later. He cleared 6.00 meters (19 feet 8 inches) for the first time on 13 July 1985 in [[Paris]].<ref name="outdoorlist" /> Bubka improved his own record over the next 10 years until he reached his career best and the then world record of 6.14 m (20 feet 1{{frac|3|4}} inches) in 1994. He vaulted on [[UCS Spirit]] poles throughout his later career.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=David |title=Carson Valley has a new 'Spirit' |url=https://www.recordcourier.com/sports/carson-valley-has-a-new-spirit/ |access-date=23 May 2020 |publisher=The Record-Courier |date=4 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A Family Company |url=https://www.ucsspirit.com/about/family-company.cfm |website=ucsspirit |publisher=UCS Spirit |access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref>

He became the first athlete ever to jump over 6.10 meters, in [[San Sebastián]], [[Spain]] in 1991. Bubka increased the world record by 21 centimeters (8 inches) in the period from 1984 to 1994. He cleared 6.00 meters or better on 45 occasions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://issuu.com/insideathletics/docs/ia08final/23?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml |title=The Legendary Sergey Bubka  |website=Insideathletics.com.au |date=3 April 2009 |access-date=20 April 2009}}</ref>

Bubka officially retired from pole vault in 2001 during a ceremony at his [[Pole Vault Stars]] meeting in [[Donetsk]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-05-sp-21482-story.html | title=Greatest Pole Vaulter Bubka Retires at 37 | last= | first= | website=Los Angeles Times | date=5 February 2001 | accessdate=11 January 2022 }}</ref>

=== Olympics curse ===
The first Olympics after Bubka's introduction to the international athletics was held in 1984 and was [[1984 Summer Olympics boycott|boycotted by the USSR]] along with the majority of other [[Eastern Bloc]] countries.  In 1988 Bubka competed in the [[1988 Summer Olympics|Seoul Olympics]] and won his only Olympic gold medal clearing 5.90 meters. In 1992 he failed to clear in his first three attempts (5.70, 5.70, 5.75 meters) and was out of the [[1992 Summer Olympics|Barcelona Olympics]]. At the [[1996 Summer Olympics|Atlanta Olympics]] in 1996, a heel injury caused him to withdraw from the competition without any attempts. In 2000 at the [[2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney Olympics]], he was eliminated from the final after three unsuccessful attempts at 5.70 meters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.iaaf.org/OLY00/results/data/M/PV/Rq.html |title=Sydney 2000 results |access-date=26 August 2007 |work=IAAF.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122095818/http://www2.iaaf.org/OLY00/results/data/M/PV/Rq.html |archive-date=22 November 2007 }}</ref>

=== IAAF World championships ===
Bubka won the pole vault event in six consecutive IAAF World Championships in Athletics in the period from 1983 to 1997:

{| class="wikitable"  style="text-align:center; font-size:95%; width:71%;"
|-
! Year
! Competition
! Venue
! Position
! Winning height
|-
| 1983
| [[1983 World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]
| [[Helsinki]]
| style="background:gold;"| 1st
| {{height|m=5.70|frac=16}}
|-
| 1987
| [[1987 World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]
| [[Rome]]
| style="background:gold;"| 1st
| {{height|m=5.85|frac=16}}
|-
| 1991
| [[1991 World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]
| [[Tokyo]]
| style="background:gold;"| 1st
| {{height|m=5.95|frac=16}}
|-
| 1993
| [[1993 World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]
| [[Stuttgart]]
| style="background:gold;"| 1st
| {{height|m=6.00|frac=16}}
|-
| 1995
| [[1995 World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]
| [[Gothenburg]]
| style="background:gold;"| 1st
| {{height|m=5.92|frac=16}}
|-
| 1997
| [[1997 World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]
| [[Athens]]
| style="background:gold;"| 1st
| {{height|m=6.01|frac=16}}
|}

=== World record progression ===
Bubka broke the world record for men's pole vault 35 times during his career.<ref name="bbc" /> He broke the [[Men's pole vault world record progression|outdoor world record]] 17 times and the [[Men's pole vault indoor world record progression|indoor world record]] 18 times. Bubka lost his outdoor world record only once in his career. After [[Thierry Vigneron]], of France, broke his record on August 31, 1984 at the Golden Gala international track meet in [[Rome]], Bubka subsequently reclaimed the record on his next attempt on the same runway minutes later.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19840901&id=ieZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3303,105550 | title=Bubka finishes | last= | first= | website=Associated Press | date=1 September 1984 | accessdate=17 January 2022 }}</ref>

{{col-float}}
{|class="wikitable"
|+ Outdoor
! Height
! Date
! Place
|-
| {{height|m=6.14|frac=16}} || align=right|31 July 1994 || {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Sestriere]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.13|frac=16}} || align=right|19 September 1992 || {{flagicon|Japan|1870}} [[Tokyo]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.12|frac=16}} || align=right|30 August 1992 || {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Padua]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.11|frac=16}} || align=right|13 June 1992 || {{flagicon|France}} [[Dijon]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.10|frac=16}} || align=right|5 August 1991 || {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Malmö]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.09|frac=16}} || align=right|8 July 1991 || {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Formia]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.08|frac=16}} || align=right|9 June 1991 || {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} [[Moscow]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.07|frac=16}} || align=right|6 May 1991 || {{flagicon|Japan|1870}} [[Shizuoka City|Shizuoka]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.06|frac=16}} || align=right|10 July 1988 || {{flagicon|France}} [[Nice]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.05|frac=16}} || align=right|9 June 1988 || {{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} [[Bratislava]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.03|frac=16}} || align=right|23 June 1987 || {{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} [[Prague]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.01|frac=16}} || align=right|8 June 1986 || {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} Moscow
|-
| {{height|m=6.00|frac=16}} || align=right|13 June 1985 || {{flagicon|France}} [[Paris]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.94|frac=16}} || align=right|31 August 1984 || {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Rome]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.90|frac=16}} || align=right|13 July 1984 || {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[London]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.88|frac=16}} || align=right|2 June 1984 || {{flagicon|France}} Paris
|-
| {{height|m=5.85|frac=16}} || align=right|26 May 1984 || {{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} Bratislava
|}
{{col-float-break}}
{|class="wikitable"
|+ Indoor
! Height
! Date
! Place
|-
| {{height|m=6.15|frac=16}} || align=right|21 February 1993 || {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Donetsk]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.14|frac=16}} || align=right|13 February 1993 || {{flagicon|France}} [[Lievin]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.13|frac=16}} || align=right|22 February 1992 || {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Berlin]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.12|frac=16}} || align=right|23 March 1991 || {{flagicon|France}} [[Grenoble]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.11|frac=16}} || align=right|19 March 1991 || {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} [[Donetsk]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.10|frac=16}} || align=right|15 March 1991 || {{flagicon|Spain}} [[San Sebastián]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.08|frac=16}} || align=right|9 February 1991 || {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} [[Volgograd]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.05|frac=16}} || align=right|17 March 1990 || {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} [[Donetsk]]
|-
| {{height|m=6.03|frac=16}} || align=right|11 February 1989 || {{flagicon|Japan|1870}} [[Osaka]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.97|frac=16}} || align=right|17 March 1987 || {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Turin]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.96|frac=16}} || align=right|15 January 1987 || {{flagicon|Japan|1870}} [[Osaka]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.95|frac=16}} || align=right|28 February 1986 || {{flagicon|United States}} [[New York City]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.94|frac=16}} || align=right|21 February 1986 || {{flagicon|United States}} [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.92|frac=16}} || align=right|8 February 1986 || {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} [[Moscow]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.87|frac=16}} || align=right|15 January 1986 || {{flagicon|Japan|1870}} [[Osaka]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.83|frac=16}} || align=right|10 February 1984 || {{flagicon|United States}} [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.82|frac=16}} || align=right|1 February 1984 || {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Milan]]
|-
| {{height|m=5.81|frac=16}} || align=right|15 January 1984 || {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} [[Vilnius]]
|}
{{col-float-end}}

===Technique===
[[File:РСК Олимпийский (008).jpg|thumb|upright|Sergey Bubka statue, [[Donetsk]]]]
Bubka gripped the pole higher than most vaulters to get extra leverage, though Bubka himself played down the effect of grip alone.<ref name="interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.ukrweekly.com/Archive/1996/229619.shtml |title=On the Road to Atlanta |access-date=27 August 2007 |date=2 June 1996 |work=The Ukrainian Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930033211/http://www.ukrweekly.com/Archive/1996/229619.shtml |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

His development of the [[Vitaly Petrov (coach)|Petrov]]/Bubka technical model is also considered a key to his success.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ebbetts |first1=Russ |title=TECHNIQUE V. STYLE |url=https://trackandfieldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TC230-PDF.pdf |website=TrackandFieldNews.com |publisher=Track & Field News |access-date=9 September 2023 |date=Winter 2020 |quote=In reality a technical model can be a simple concept. Generally speaking, there is a “right way or wrong way” to do things. Where it gets fuzzy is with the varying schools of thought, gurus and programs that may champion technical nuances that identify “their brand” of shot putting, pole vaulting or whatever.}}</ref> The Petrov/Bubka model allows the vaulter to continuously put energy into the pole while rising towards the bar.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} Most conventional models focus on creating maximum bend in the pole before leaving the ground, by planting the pole heavily in the pole vault box. The Petrov/Bubka model follows the technique used by [[Kjell Isaksson]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K-HZaXRpSA |title=Pole vault plant by Kjell Isaksson |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2010-02-17 |access-date=2017-03-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://vimeo.com/29876836 |title=Kjell Isaksson - pole vault 5.54m - 15/4/1972 on Vimeo |access-date=2013-04-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407091919/http://vimeo.com/29876836 |archive-date=7 April 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1086018/ |title=On successive weekends, Vaulter Kjell Isaksson exceeded a - 04.24.72 - SI Vault |access-date=2013-04-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407091816/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1086018/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polevaultpower.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=17391#p124729 |title=Looking for old footage/information on kjell isaksson(FOUND) |website=PoleVaultPower.com |access-date=2017-03-20}}</ref> which concentrates on driving the pole up, rather than bending it while planting it on the landing pad, combined with high running speed. While the traditional models depended on the recoil by bending the pole, the Petrov/Bubka model may exploit the recoil of the pole and exert more energy on the pole during the swinging action.{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}

==Recognition==
*[[L'Équipe Champion of Champions]] (1985)<ref>[http://www.whoholdsthetitle.com/home/championslist/list-of-lequipe-world-champion-of-champions-rafael-nadal-2010-winner/ List of L’Équipe World Champion of Champions]. Who Holds the Title (2012-10-06). Retrieved on 2024-09-05</ref>
*[[European Sportsperson of the Year]] (1985)
*[[Track & Field News Athlete of the Year]] (1988)<ref name = 'track' />
*[[Track & Field News Athlete of the Year]] (1991)<ref name = 'track' />
*[[United Press International Athlete of the Year Award]] (1991)<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/annual-awards/up-male-athlete-of-the-year.htm| website=Topend Sports|accessdate=5 September 2024|title= United Press International Male Athlete of the Year|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Laureus World Sports Awards]] discretionary award winner (2008)<ref name=win08>{{Cite web | url = https://awards.laureus.com/awards-history/2008/winners/ | title = The winners for the year 2008 were | publisher = Laureus | access-date = 5 September 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171109080944/https://awards.laureus.com/awards-history/2008/winners/ | archive-date = 9 November 2017 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[6 meters club#Six metres club|6 metres club]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.iaaf.org/athletes/ukraine/sergey-bubka-365 IAAF profile for Sergey Bubka]

{{S-start}}
{{S-civ}}
{{Succession box
| title = President of [[National Olympic Committee of Ukraine|Ukrainian NOC]]
| before = [[Viktor Yanukovych]]
| after = ''Incumbent''
| years = 2005–''present''
}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[Men's pole vault world record progression|Men's Pole Vault World Record Holder]]
| before = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Thierry Vigneron]]<br />{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Thierry Vigneron]]
| after = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Thierry Vigneron]]<br /> {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Renaud Lavillenie]]
| years = 26 May&nbsp;– 31 August 1984<br />31 August 1984&nbsp;– 15 February 2014
}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[Men's pole vault indoor world record progression|Men's Pole Vault Indoor World Record Holder]]
| before = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Olson]] <br /> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Olson]] <br /> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Joe Dial]] <br />  {{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Olson]] <br /> {{flagicon|URS}} [[Rodion Gataulin]]
| after = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Thierry Vigneron]] <br /> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Olson]] <br /> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Olson]] <br /> {{flagicon|URS}} [[Rodion Gataulin]] <br /> {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Renaud Lavillenie]]
| years = 15 January&nbsp;– 4 March 1984 <br /> 15–17 January 1986 <br /> 8 February 1986 <br /> 21 February 1986&nbsp;– 22 January 1989 <br /> 11 February 1989&nbsp;– 15 February 2014
}}
{{s-ach}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[L'Équipe Champion of Champions]]
| before = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Carl Lewis]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Johnson (sprinter)|Michael Johnson]]
| after = {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Diego Maradona]]<br />{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Zinedine Zidane]]
| years = 1985<br />1997
}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[La Gazzetta dello Sport|''Gazzetta dello Sport''<br />Sportsman of the Year]]
| before = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Carl Lewis]]
| after = {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Diego Maradona]]
| years = 1985
}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[Track & Field Athlete of the Year|Men's Track & Field Athlete of the Year]]
| before = {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Ben Johnson (Canadian sprinter)|Ben Johnson]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Johnson (athlete)|Michael Johnson]]
| after = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Roger Kingdom]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Kevin Young (athlete)|Kevin Young]]
| years = 1988<br />1991
}}
{{Succession box
| before = {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Stefan Edberg]]
| title = [[United Press International Athlete of the Year Award#Male winners|United Press International<br />Athlete of the Year]]
| after = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Kevin Young (athlete)|Kevin Young]]
| years = 1991
}}
{{Succession box
| before = {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Alfonso Pons]]
| title = [[Prince of Asturias Award#Prince or Princess of Asturias Award for Sports|Prince of Asturias Award for Sports]]
| years = 1991
| after = {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Miguel Indurain]]
}}
{{s-sports}}
{{Succession box
| before = {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Thierry Vigneron]]<br />{{flagicon|URS}} [[Rodion Gataullin]]<br />{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Okkert Brits]]
| title = [[Pole vault#Men's Seasons Best|Men's Pole Vault Best Year Performance]]
| years = 1984–1989<br />1991–1994<br />1996–1997
| after = {{flagicon|URS}} [[Rodion Gataullin]]<br />{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Okkert Brits]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Hartwig]]
}}
{{s-sports|oly}}
{{Succession box
| before = ''None''
| title = [[List of flag bearers for Ukraine at the Olympics|Flagbearer]] for {{UKR}}
| years = [[1996 Summer Olympics|Atlanta 1996]]
| after = [[Yevhen Braslavets]]
}}
{{S-end}}

{{IAAF Hall of Fame}}
{{Olympic Champions Pole Vault (Men)}}
{{Footer World Champions Pole Vault Men}}
{{Footer World Indoor Champions Pole Vault Men}}
{{Footer European Champions Pole Vault Men}}
{{Footer European Indoor Champions Pole Vault Men}}
{{Footer IAAF World Cup Champions Pole Vault Men}}
{{Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award}}
{{Prince of Asturias Award for Sports}}
{{PAP European Sportsperson of the Year}}
{{L'Équipe Champion of Champions}}
{{USA Indoor Track and Field Championships winners in men's pole vault}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bubka, Sergey}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
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[[Category:National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport alumni]]
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