IOC President Spotlight #1 - Sebastian Coe

As a Brit, I was always going to start with our own home-grown candidate, Lord Sebastian Coe but with a career in both athletics and sports administration, as well as a background in politics, he is a compelling candidate with a good chance of success. But who exactly is he, and what is he proposing to do?

Sebastian Coe, a former middle-distance runner, is best known for his remarkable achievements of the track, including winning gold medals in the 1500 metres at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics. Beyond this, he has crafted a successful career in sports administration, playing a pivotal role in the successful bid for London to host the 2012 Olympics, serving as the Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.

Since 2015, Coe has been the President of World Athletics, where he has focused on enhancing the sport's global appeal, tackling doping issues, and promoting gender equality in athletics. His extensive experience and deep connections within the Olympic movement position him as a strong candidate for the IOC's top job.

So what is he focusing on?

Like all candidates, Lord Coe was required to produce a 'manifesto' outlining his views and proposed initiatives should he be successful. Some of the key ideas I've listed below:

1. Revitalising the Olympic Brand: He aims to modernise the brand by attracting younger audiences through innovations in marketing and more digital engagement. He has emphasised the importance of connecting with youth to ensure the relevance of the Olympics but his views on this are not new, as Chair of LOCOG, he pushed for more youth connection for London 2012.
2. Sustainability and Legacy: He advocates for sustainable practices in organising the Olympics, focusing on minimising environmental impact and maximising community engagement. He firmly believes that the IOC should set an example in addressing global challenges like climate change.
3. Athlete Welfare and Rights: Coe is committed to enhancing the welfare of all athletes, including mental health support and safeguarding their rights. He recognises the importance of giving athletes a platform to voice their concerns and contribute to decision-making. Most notably and potentially controversially, he has overseen the payment of bonuses to medal winners in track and field at the last Olympics, an idea that he wants to carry over to the whole Games more broadly. A proposal that all medal-winners receive a financial payment from the IOC may, on one hand, prove popular with athletes and some national Olympic committees, but might upset traditionalists who do not believe in financial payments to medal-winning Olympians.
4. Inclusivity and Diversity: Promoting inclusivity and diversity is central to his vision. He intends to ensure that the Olympic movement reflects the diversity of the global population and fosters equal opportunities for all.

What's his likelihood of success?

Sebastian Coe has demonstrated strong leadership skills in various roles and is popular with athletes due to his athlete-centric approach. His background as a politican makes him effective as a networker within the global sports community. However, he has limited experience of the broader governance of the IOC and is one candidate within a strong field. In addition, some of his ideas might be seen as too radical to implement which may put off the more traditional voting bloc within the organisation.

Nevertheless, Lord Coe stands as a compelling candidate for the IOC presidency, with a rich background in athletics and sports administration. His vision for the brand positions him as a leader who can address contemporary challenges facing the Olympic movement, so it will be interesting to see how his message is received by the electors of the IOC.

Let me know your thoughts - do you think he is the right man for the job?