byLarry Eder
Seb Coe, photo by PhotoRun.net
6th IAAF President is Lord Sebastian Coe
BEIJING (CHN): Lord Sebastian Coe was elected 6th IAAF President at midday in Beijing at the 50th IAAF Congress. He got 115 votes comparing to 92 by his rival Sergey Bubka. Coe will succeed Lamine Diack who was in function for 16 years as a second Briton after Lord Burghley. He is expected to be appointed as a member of the IOC before next year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro. 207 Member Federations voted. New president will take office on 31 August after the end of the IAAF World Championships. “I am deeply honoured that our sport has placed its trust in me. There is no job I want to do more – nor with greater commitment,” new president said in a flash quote. Thirty-four years ago he clocked a world record for the mile in Zurich (3:48.53, Aug 19, 1981), Coe claimed his election was the “second most momentous moment in my life” behind the birth of his children. “There is no task in my life for which I have been better prepared. No job I have ever wanted to do more nor would be more committed to. Your fight is my fight.” Setting up an independent anti-doping agency was among the most important points in Coe’s manifesto including zero tolerance in the anti-doping fight. At the press conference he also mentioned his total commitment for the position and qualities of a strong team he got in the new council. Another point mentioned that he wants to remain chairman of the IAAF press commission and modernisation of the competition programme.
Editor’s note: The election was very good for the sport. And the close nature of the election pushed Coe and Bubka to creatively look at the challenges of the sport.
