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The Nairobian

IAAF'S Sebastian Coe lays bare his plans for Africa

Weird News

By JONATHAN KOMEN | Feb 28, 2015

Sebastian Coe, a two-time Olympic 1,500m champion, has promised radical changes in African athletics, if he wins the IAAF Presidency in Beijing, China, at the IAAF Congress in August.

Lord Coe, now serving as IAAF Vice President, said he is rooting for a strong IAAF Council and it is important he gets a powerful Vice President from Africa. Athletics Kenya President Isaiah Kiplagat, who is a member of the IAAF Council, will vie for the IAAF Vice Presidency slot.

“I will attract more young people, especially athletes into the sport and ensure athletes are more involved in development of the sport. We need a greater voice for athletes. I am also committed to see Africa, which has a huge athletics potential, move forward,” Coe told FeverPitch in a telephone interview from London on Wednesday.

Coe, who chaired the 2012 London Olympics Local Organising Committee (LOC), said he has support from multiple Olympic and world 100m and 200m champion Usain Bolt and former record holder Michael Johnson in his bid to succeed Lamine Diack, who will retire in August.

Coe will contest alongside fellow IAAF Vice President Sergei Bubka, the Ukrainian former pole vault champion. Nawal El Moutawakel, former Moroccan hurdler and first female African-born Muslim to become an Olympic champion, is another expected candidate.

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“I will encourage diversity and ensure every continent is well represented and, more importantly, ensure the role of Africa in athletics development is upheld

“We will create competition projects among universities, world beaters, educational institutions as well as creating commercial opportunities among member federations. I will simply make things work under my presidency and see to it that Africa maintains its position in athletics,” he said.

Coe said he would foster a programme to help federations have more technical officials and come up with funds to tap athletic talents.

“We must create an incentive to inspire budding athletes, where legends like Kipchoge Keino will keep on inspiring the young generation. As a former world record holder, I will champion for high competition standards and, hopefully, see them break world records in the same way the likes of David Rudisha did,” he said.

On doping scourge, Coe said he will push for intensive sensitisation on doping and create a landscape of integrity in the sport.