Bubka, President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, signed an agreement with Maria Bulatova, President of the National Olympic Academy, and Yevhen Imas, Rector of Ukraine's National Physical Education and Sports University.

It started the celebrations of the 100th anniversary for the 1913 Russian Games, which were held in Kyiv and attracted athletes from all over the Russian Empire.

The celebrations, which is expected to be attended by up to ten International Olympic Committee members, is also designed to help raise the profile of Ukraine ahead of an expected bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. 

Maria Bulatova (right), President of the National Olympic Academy, chats to invited guests

The granting of international status is reward for the the National Olympic Committee, Olympic Academy and the National University of Physical Education and Sports having issued a large number of critically-acclaimed Olympic literature - from children's educational books to encyclopedias.

The publications have received high international evaluation - at the request of the European Olympic Committees of this literature was translated and published in English for members of the European Youth Olympic Festival.

The Centre had originally been opened in 1993 with the help of then IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.

"It was a very significant and important step, because at the time there were only two Olympic training centres in the world - in Canada and Barcelona," said Bubka.

"I am confident that our collaboration will promote a new positive momentum in the development of a healthy nation and the education of future Olympians."

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