5 days ago
Sebastian Coe Says Athletics Must Remain Olympic Sport’s Number One
Sebastian Coe leads World Athletics, the group that manages international athletics.
He says athletics should remain the most important sport at the Olympic Games.
Coe feels hopeful because he believes the sport is stronger than when he took charge.
He will leave his leadership role in 2027.
Before then, he wants to improve competitions, schedules, sponsorships, and broadcasting.
A new event called the Ultimate Championship will be held in Budapest.
It will bring together many of the world’s best athletes and offer large prizes.
Coe also said China has the support and organization needed for next year’s World Athletics Championships.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said athletics must retain its status as the leading Olympic sport.
Coe, who became president in 2015, plans to step down in 2027.
The inaugural Ultimate Championship will take place in Budapest from Sept. 11 to 13.
The three-day event will feature 26 individual events and a $10 million prize purse.
Coe praised China’s federation and organizers ahead of next year’s World Athletics Championships.
- Who
- Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, discussed the future of athletics.
- What
- Coe said athletics must remain the number one Olympic sport and outlined upcoming competitions and priorities.
- Where
- The remarks were made in Zurich, Switzerland; the Ultimate Championship will be held in Budapest, and the 2027 election will take place in Beijing.
- When
- The comments were made ahead of the Diamond League meeting in Zurich; Coe is expected to step down in 2027.
- Why
- Coe said athletics must protect its Olympic position while strengthening leadership, competitions, revenues, and the sport’s long-term future.
Key facts
- Current president
- Sebastian Coe
- Presidency began
- Aug. 19, 2015
- Planned departure
- 2027
- Upcoming event
- Inaugural Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Sept. 11-13
- Ultimate Championship prize purse
- $10 million
- Prize for each event winner
- $150,000
- Ultimate Championship program
- 16 disciplines, 26 individual events, and two relays
Quotes
Sebastian Coe
President of World Athletics
“I'm very optimistic about the future of the sport. I've never been more optimistic about the future of the sport. Whoever my successor is, they are inheriting a very much stronger sport than I inherited. I'm absolutely sure that the sport will continue to grow. I know it will remain the number one Olympic sport.”
thehansindia.com
“The Ultimate Championship was clearly athletic, but athletics with an innovative spin. We didn't just want to create another World Championships. This is a shorter format. This is just three days, three nights, fewer athletes, not every discipline, but male and female balanced with a very large prize pot.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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