Sebastian Coe, the celebrated British middle-distance running legend and current World Athletics president, has emerged as a reformist candidate in the race to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). With Thomas Bach’s tenure coming to an end, Coe is one of seven candidates vying to succeed him, and he has made it clear he intends to reshape the dynamics within the organization to amplify the voices of its members.
In his manifesto released on Thursday, Coe called for a “reset” in the way the IOC operates, emphasizing the need to decentralize decision-making power. “There’s no shortage of talent among the membership,” Coe said in a media briefing. “But the question I ask myself as a member is what input do I and other members have? And the reality of it is, there isn’t enough. There’s too much power in the hands of too few people.”
Coe’s vision is rooted in inclusivity and athlete-centric policies. He believes the IOC must prioritize the athletes’ voices and return to focusing on the essence of sport. “I am absolutely committed to the concept that the reset must be around sport… and at the epicenter has to be the athletes, whose voices must be heard,” he emphasized.
A Bold Reform Agenda
Coe’s manifesto sets him apart as a candidate unafraid of challenging the status quo. Under his leadership since 2015, World Athletics has introduced bold initiatives, including paying bonuses to gold medalists at the Paris 2024 Olympics a move that ruffled feathers within the IOC. While some viewed this decision as controversial, Coe defended it as essential to fostering innovation and prioritizing the athletes.
“If you want a reset in sport, there has to be a reset in prioritization of your budgets,” Coe argued. “If you want to innovate and make sport as exciting as possible, you must invest accordingly.” His stance highlights his willingness to take unconventional approaches to ensure that sport remains dynamic and compelling for future generations.
Commitment to Women’s Sport
Coe’s manifesto also addresses one of the most pressing issues in modern sport: safeguarding the integrity of women’s competition. Highlighting the gender controversies that unfolded during the Paris Olympics, where female boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting were embroiled in eligibility disputes, Coe criticized the IOC’s handling of the situation. Despite both athletes being barred from the 2023 World Championships under the Russian-led International Boxing Association (IBA), the IOC allowed them to compete in Paris, where they won gold.
In response to such controversies, Coe vowed to “protect and promote the integrity of women’s sport,” emphasizing the need for science-based policies. “I will advocate for clear, science-based policies that safeguard the female category,” Coe pledged. He also outlined plans to collaborate with leading medical and educational institutions to advance research into female health, performance, and exercise physiology.
“We must navigate this with sensitivity and resolve to ensure current and future generations of women choose sport,” Coe said, underscoring the critical juncture women’s sports currently face. His stance demonstrates a commitment to fairness and inclusivity, two pillars he believes are vital for the future of global sport.
The Road Ahead
Coe’s candidacy represents a shift toward democratization within the IOC. His call for greater input from members and his emphasis on athlete-focused reforms resonate with those seeking a more transparent and equitable approach to Olympic governance. His track record as an administrator, coupled with his athlete-first mindset, positions him as a formidable contender in the March 2024 election.
As Coe himself put it, “I have never seen myself in anything I have done as an insider.” This perspective, combined with his willingness to challenge norms and push boundaries, signals a potentially transformative era for the IOC should he be elected. For now, the world watches as the candidates prepare to present their visions in January, with the future of Olympic leadership hanging in the balance.
