By Daniel Etchells

IAAF Presidential candidate Sergey Bubka (right) has met with Svein Arne Hansen (left), Norway's Athletics Federation President, in Kyiv ©2015 Sergey BubkaUkraine's Sergey Bubka has today announced plans to launch a complete review of athletics if successful in his bid to become the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) President.


One of the key elements of Bubka's programme is 'Vision 2025', which aims to ensure that the entire athletics family works together to build a stronger sport for the future.

Bubka and fellow IAAF vice-president Sebastian Coe are vying to replace Senegal's Lamine Diack, who is stepping down from his role as the head of athletics' world governing body after 16 years in August.

"'Vision 2025' will be the most thorough review ever taken into every aspect of athletics worldwide and will be based on collaboration with the athletics family from the very beginning," said Bubka.

"Its aim will be to identify and examine every significant element of our sport and determine how it can be improved to ensure we are in the best possible shape for the future."

'Vision 2025' will see the establishment of specialist working groups to cover the widest range of issues and draw on the best qualified people from athletics as well as experts from other sports and business sectors.

Every National Federation will be given the opportunity to contribute to these working groups which will be reviewed and voted upon at an Extraordinary Athletics Congress, held alongside a revamped World Athletics Gala.

The Gala will be a celebration of athletics for every member nation, recognising the achievements and contributions of all members, stakeholder groups and smaller member federations.

Regional heroes will also be celebrated, while grants will be awarded to those where funding could have the greatest impact.

Sebastian Coe is competing against Sergey Bubka for the IAAF Presidency ©Getty ImagesSebastian Coe is competing against Sergey Bubka for the IAAF Presidency
©Getty Images





Bubka is currently in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv where he's met with influential European official Svein Arne Hansen to outline his vision for the future of athletics.

The 51-year-old shared his experience of running educational and promotion projects as President of the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee, as well as cooperating with National Federations and partnering with Governments and sponsors to promote sport in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Athletic Federation Executive Board and Council member was also interested to hear from Hansen about his long-time experience as the organiser of the Bislett Games in Oslo, which forms part of the IAAF Diamond League.

"[The] Oslo meeting has very positive reputation among athletes, spectators, and media for its atmosphere, great performance and high standards of delivery," said Bubka. 

"I am sure we should use the experience of successful meetings' organisers in terms of marketing, logistics and promo campaigns for the global improvements in our sport."

Hansen, also one of three candidates in the running for the European Athletics Association (EAA) Presidency, was invited to Kyiv by Ukrainian counterpart Ihor Hotsul to discuss the plans for reforms in Ukrainian sport system and share the vision of the future of European athletics.

Sharing his experience as Norway's Athletics Federation President with Bubka, Hansen underlined the importance of building new facilities to engage young people.

"We in Norway managed to increase the number of indoor and outdoor venues significantly in the recent years," he said. 

"This led to the increase of young people going for athletics at the clubs.

"Some of them have even to establish limits for attendance as there is no place left for newcomers."

Hansen faces competition from France's Jean Garcia and Finland's Antti Pihlakovski in the EAA Presidential elections, which are due to take place at the organisation's Congress in Bled, Slovenia, on April 11. 

Incumbent Hansjorg Wirz of Switzerland will hand over to the new head after 16 years of leading the EAA. 

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