World Athletics President, Sebastian Coe, has remained open to the possibility of becoming the leader of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after Thomas Bach’s term ends in 2025. When asked about the potential candidacy, Coe stated, “I haven’t ruled it in, and I certainly haven’t ruled it out.” While public campaigning for the position is not allowed, Coe’s name has been consistently mentioned in discussions about the future leader of the IOC.
Less than 24 hours after being re-elected for his third term as the global head of track and field, Coe spoke about the passion he has for his current role. He emphasized the importance of expanding and modernizing the track schedule to make the sport more relevant in the lives of young people.
There are several other individuals who have been mentioned as potential successors to Bach, including Kirsty Coventry, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, and Nicole Hoevertsz. Coe and Bach have a shared history in Olympic politics, but a Coe presidency at the IOC could potentially bring significant changes to the organization.
Under Coe’s leadership, World Athletics has taken a strong stance against Russia’s state-sponsored doping scandal, resulting in Russian athletes being barred from international events. Despite policy differences between Coe and the IOC, his credentials, which include leading the organizing committee for the 2012 London Games, earned him a spot on the IOC in 2020.
However, Coe does have some controversy surrounding him, including a personal business deal with Nike while he was vice president of the IAAF (now known as World Athletics) and his involvement with former track president Lamine Diack, who was convicted of extorting money from athletes and accused of taking bribes. Since taking over as president in 2015, Coe has implemented various reforms, including the creation of the Athletics Integrity Unit to address doping issues in the sport.
Sebastian Coe’s potential candidacy for the IOC presidency brings both excitement and scrutiny. As someone with experience and a desire for positive change in the world of athletics, his leadership could shape the future of the Olympic movement.
