by Larry Eder
Seb Coe, Zurich, 2015, photo by PhotoRun.net
At the last press conference for IAAF outgoing president Lamine Diack, and the first presser of the incoming IAAF President Seb Coe, Coe was at his best. Coe can be charming, thoughtful and presidential, all in the same conversation. In July 2015, at the London GP press conference, Coe noted that he was made for this job.
When the following press release came through, I was pleased. Seb Coe is living up to his promises: stream lining governance and opening the conversation with the global family. Note that Coe is also using Skype and modern social communication tools for meetings, saving money on travel and increasing the conversations with key players.
We continue to watch Seb Coe in his first 100 days, and wish him well. No pressure to the four time Olympic medalist: his sport is looking to his vision, drive and enthusiasm.
In a key note speech delivered today (16) to the European Athletics Convention in Lausanne, IAAF President Sebastian Coe announced new advisory structures designed to assist the delivery of a fundamental programme of change to the sports global administration.
President Coe, who was joined by IOC President Thomas Bach, EA President Svein Arne Hansen and EOC President Patrick Hickey at the Mövenpick Hotel, confirmed to advise IAAF Council in future there would be 10 Commissions and 10 Special Advisory Groups, each with 10 members, who, mostly via video and teleconferencing, would aim to convene 10 times each year.
“Central to the process of reviewing and building new structures, I am today announcing widespread changes to the composition and function of IAAF Commissions for the approval of IAAF Council in November” said Seb Coe.
“These changes are designed to broaden the experience and ability available to our sport and make the IAAF’s advisory bodies more efficient, more focused and more representative. They will be smaller groups with increased representation of women, younger age groups, coaches and former athletes and experts from outside athletics.
“These advisory bodies will make better use of technology to increase the level of dialogue between these advisors and the IAAF beyond the regular face-to-face meetings.”
IAAF Commissions
“We are reviewing the IAAF Commissions to ensure that the IAAF Council gets the best possible advice and support moving forwards. Among the changes, four entirely new commissions are being created: Values, International Relations, Audit, Youth Engagement Commissions.
“There will be 10 Commissions, each with a maximum of 10 members, except the Athletes Commission which, being partially elected, is a special case:
Athletes Commission
Audit Commission (incorporates former IAAF Finance and Budget Commission)
Coaches Commission
Competition Commission
Development Commission
International Relations Commission
Legal Commission
Medical and Anti-doping Commission
Values Commission (Incorporates former School and Youth Commission)
Youth Engagement Commission
“In addition, there will be two other special commissions: the existing Masters and Ethics Commissions, which are to be considered special cases as independent bodies. The Ethics Commission will be renamed the ‘IAAF Independent Ethics Board’ to ensure distinction between it and other IAAF Commissions.
“The membership of all Commissions – the Chair and members – will be approved by IAAF Council in November.”
IAAF Special Advisory Groups
“I am also announcing the creation of a number of IAAF Special Advisory Groups to help address specific areas of importance to the IAAF’s administration and development of the sport. With these groups I’m looking for speed of decision, focusing on trends and innovation. Open minded, fast, flexible and with realistic ambition. What I’m hoping for across the Special Advisory Groups are 10 sustainable achievements each year.”
Commercial and Marketing
Competition Calendar
Conflict Resolution
One-Day Meetings
Press and Media Operations
Road Running
Strategic Communications
Sustainable Development
Television and Digital
World Athletics Series Renovation
“The IAAF will also continue with two steering boards covering commercial issues (with DENTSU and Eurovision respectively) composed of representatives of IAAF and the relevant organisations.
“During my official visit to the Balkans Athletics Congress I named the chair and some members of the One-Day Meetings group. The composition of the remaining Special Advisory Groups will be announced by the time of the Council meeting in November.
“The reorganisation of the Commissions and specialist areas covered by the Special Advisory Groups should leave no one in any doubt about my priorities as president.
“Only if we successfully engage in this reorganisation will we be able to offer the best possible advice to IAAF Council and thereby build a robust, innovative and transparent organisation which is fit to deliver with its member federations, a modern, athlete-focused sport that is attractive and exciting to a young audience,” concluded Seb Coe.
IAAF
