Sergey Bubka, IAAF Vice President, visited his native city of Donetsk, Ukraine, to supervise the preparation for the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships.

During his two days' visit Bubka inspected the main venue of the future championships – RSK 'Olympiysky' where brand new running track is being settled. He also looked around the future training site of the Championships – 'Kirovets' arena as well as warm-up venue and throwing field.

Bubka who is also the President of Ukrainian NOC met the local authorities' representatives – Mr Andriy Shyshatsky, Head of the Donetsk region State Administration, Mr Ihor Koval, region's Council deputy head, and Mr Valentyn Loktionov, deputy major, as well the representatives of the local Agency for organizing the tournament, notably the Head of the Agency 2008 silver medalist in women's 1500 m Iryna Lishchynska.

They discussed the process of preparation of the city for hosting first ever in Ukrainian history IAAF major tournament. Some decisions were made regarding the issues of logistics, funding and hosting the pre-championship competitions at the reconstructed venues.

'The preparation for the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championship is going well, said Sergey Bubka at the end of his visit answering the questions of the local media. It is key important that preparation meets target time both in terms of teams' logistics and venue construction. The organizing committee performs well due to the full support of the national and local governments. I'm sure that the Championship will be held following the world highest standards'.

'What impresses me most, added Bubka, is the legacy Championships will provide for the local community and for athletics nationwide. Our sport will get world class venues for competitions and great training facilities. Being built at the densely populated areas, the training facilities will bring kids from the streets to sport'.

Sergey Bubka also informed that 2013 IAAF Word Youth Championship's Organizing Committee will next time meet in Kyiv by the end of September. The Head of the Committee is Borys Kolesnikov, Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, who was the Governmental supervisor of the UEFA Euro 2012 in Ukraine.

In October 2012 the IAAF technical partners' group will visit Donetsk to view and coordinate the preparation for the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships.