Legendary Olympic pole-vaulter Sergey Bubka has been awarded The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (III grade) in his home country of Ukraine.
The award is given to individuals from Ukraine in recognition for distinguished services to the state.
Bubka, the pole-vault world record holder was honoured for his contribution to Ukraines success at the London 2012 Olympic Games and for his work with the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Ukraine won 20 medals at London 2012 including six golds finishing fourteenth in the Olympic medal table.
The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise is also in recognition of the several NOC initiatives which have helped to promote sports for children and inspiring a generation throughout Ukraine.
Bubkas efforts have also ensured that the Ukrainian NOC and national sport federations have received further funding to help to train elite athletes.
Sergey said: It is a great honour for me to be awarded the Order of the Yaroslav the Wise.
My feelings are different to those I had when being awarded Olympic and World Championship medals, which were mostly just my own and my coach’s recognition.
I would like to share this latest honour with all my colleagues from the Olympic Movement, athletes and coaches whose hard work and achievements in London provoked a great celebration in Ukraine, making the population so proud of their country.
The award has been given to IOC Executive Committee member as a part of the Ukraine Independence Day celebrations, which commemorate Ukraines independence in August 1991.
Bubka was also the first athlete to receive The Hero of Ukraine award, the highest state award, in 2001.
from: http://www.aroundtherings.com/articles/view.aspx?id=41048
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