HALL OF FAME: SERGEY BUBKA

Pole Vaulter Sergey Bubka burst on the international scene when, as a 19-year-old he scored an upset victory at the inaugural World Championship of Athletics in 1983.

Over the next 14 years, he won all five world championships (1983, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997).

In 1988, he became the first athlete to clear six metres in pole vault.

An overwhelming favorite at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Bubka came within one miss of the finishing out of the medals completely. However he easily cleared he height of 5.90 meters and won the gold medal.

In 1991, Bubka became the first human to clear 20 feet, which he did both indoors and outdoors.

Favored to win the 1992 Olympics, Bubka missed all three of his attempts. However, he rebounded quickly and broke the world record twice in the next 36 days.

Bubka eventually set world records 35 times, 18 times indoors and 17 times outdoors.

Bubka is the member of the International Olympic Committee's executive board and he is chairman of the IOC's Athketes' Commission.