"I am very thankful to the Olympic Movement in Ukraine for the trust they put in me.

"A lot has been achieved in the past years and Ukraine NOC committed to further developing Olympic sports and help Ukrainian athletes successfully compete on the international level."

Bubka's election comes in the midst of the country being divided following the annexation of Crimea earlier this year by Russia. 

Sergey Bubka has been re-elected President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine at the General Assembly, where he was supported by European Olympic Committees boss Patrick Hickey (left) and ex-world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko ©NOCU

Support for Bubka, the 1988 Olympic pole vault champion, was demonstrated by Patrick Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees, who attended the Assembly in the Ukrainian capital. 

"I would like to congratulate Sergey Bubka on his re-election and wish him all the best in this new term as NOC President," Hickey told insidethegames.

"I have followed Bubka's career for years and have always been impressed with his clear vision and ability to achieve success in the most difficult circumstances.

"I am confident that he will continue effectively lead the country's Olympic Movement during this difficult time for Ukraine."

Under Bubka, Ukraine's athletes have established themselves as one of the most successful countries at the Olympics.

They finished 14th overall at London 2012 with a total of 14 medals, including six gold, while at Sochi 2014 they matched their best-ever performance in the Winter Olympics.

There, they won a gold and bronze medal to place 20th, their highest position for 16 years.

Former world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, now the Mayor of Kyiv, also welcomed Bubka's appointment.

"I would like to say that there is no other alternative to the man who is a symbol, a legend, person which people respect not only in Ukraine but around the world - to my President, Sergey Bubka," said Klitschko, a vice-president of the NOCU.

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