Lord Coe promises ‘laser-like focus on sport’ if elected IOC president

Lord Coe has vowed to ensure the International Olympic Committee has a “laser-like focus on sport” if he is elected as its new president next year.

Coe, the current president of World Athletics and a two-time Olympic 1500 metres gold medallist, was among seven candidates confirmed for the position on Monday, with current president Thomas Bach having announced his intention to stand down on the penultimate day of the Paris Olympics last month.

Under current IOC rules Coe, 67, would not be able to serve the full eight-year first term of office. He reaches the IOC age limit of 70 in 2026 and, even if granted a four-year age limit extension, would only be able to serve until 2030.

However, Coe abolished age limits on becoming president of World Athletics and could adopt a similar approach if he wins the race for the IOC’s top job, potentially in conjunction with a change to shorten term limits.

Coe also changed World Athletics’ rules so that presidents could only serve a maximum of three four-year terms.

All of that will be irrelevant, however, if Coe cannot convince the IOC’s membership to vote for him, with candidates presenting to the membership in January ahead of the election at the IOC Session in Athens in March next year.

“Olympic sport is fundamental to my DNA,” he said in a statement published on his official X account.

“I had the privilege of being a double Olympic champion, I’ve chaired an Olympic and Paralympic Games – London 2012 – from bid, through delivery and legacy implementation, I’ve chaired a National Olympic Committee – the BOA – and I’ve led an international federation through some turbulent times, retaining athletics’ position as a cornerstone of the Olympic Games.

“Sport plays a critical role in driving and maintaining the health and fitness of people, young and old, in every country around the world. But it faces significant challenges on multiple fronts.

“The Covid years saw many people struggle through inactivity and many sports organisations suffer through lack of funds. We need to invest more in both over the next decade. A laser-like focus on sport must be the priority for the IOC. I believe I can help achieve this and more.”

Among the other leading contenders are Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, whose father of the same name served as IOC president between 1980 and 2001, and former swimmer and IOC athletics commission chair Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe.

She would become the IOC’s first female president if elected.

The other candidates listed by the IOC are Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan and the presidents of the international skiing, gymnastics and cycling federations, Johan Eliasch, Morinari Watanabe and David Lappartient.