Sebastian Coe has unveiled his vision for IOC leadership, promising bold reforms on female sport, governance and commercial opportunities ahead of elections.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe is set to present his vision for the future of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne on Thursday, as he bids to succeed Thomas Bach as the organisation’s president.
The 68-year-old, who has spent decades at the forefront of international sport, believes this is a role he has been preparing for throughout his career.
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Coe, who spearheaded London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympic Games, has pledged to introduce reforms that will protect the integrity of female sport, increase the influence of IOC members, and enhance commercial opportunities for athletes.
“This is the dance I couldn’t sit out,” Coe said last month, making it clear that he sees the presidency as a responsibility rather than an ambition.
One of Coe’s headline proposals is a “clear-cut” policy to safeguard female sport. This follows the controversy surrounding the Olympic women’s boxing tournament in Paris, which reignited debate over gender categories in sport.
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Coe has previously taken a strong stance on the issue as World Athletics president, implementing regulations on transgender participation in elite female competition.
Beyond gender policy, Coe aims to decentralise power within the IOC, arguing that too much authority is concentrated in the hands of a few.
“There’s too much power in the hands of too few people,” he stated, advocating for a more democratic approach that allows IOC members greater influence in decision-making as per Independent UK.
His campaign also includes proposals to modernise the Olympics by adapting to commercial and sporting trends.
Coe was instrumental in introducing prize money for track and field gold medallists at the Paris Games—an unprecedented move in Olympic history.
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He now wants to ensure all Games participants receive greater commercial recognition for their achievements, potentially reshaping the financial structure of the event.
Another bold idea in Coe’s manifesto is the possibility of moving certain indoor sports from the Summer to the Winter Olympics, a shift that could alter the traditional calendar of elite competition.
The race to become the next IOC president is highly competitive, with Coe facing stiff opposition from six other candidates.
Among them is Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., the current IOC vice-president and son of the former long-serving president, who is widely regarded as the frontrunner.
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Kirsty Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer and Zimbabwean sports minister, is also a strong contender and is believed to be Bach’s preferred choice. If elected, she would make history as the first female and first African IOC president.
Other candidates include David Lappartient, president of cycling’s international federation (UCI), and Morinari Watanabe, head of the International Gymnastics Federation.
Johan Eliasch, leader of the international ski federation, and Jordan’s Prince Feisal Al Hussein, an IOC member since 2010, are also in the running.
Coe has proven his ability to win against the odds before.
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His leadership was instrumental in London’s shock victory over Madrid and Paris in securing the 2012 Olympics, despite both cities being considered stronger candidates.
His track record in global sports administration, combined with his willingness to challenge the status quo, makes him a formidable opponent in the March 20 vote in Greece.
