Sebastian Coe champions women's sports and IOC reform in presidential bid

Sebastian Coe, the British track-and-field legend and current president of World Athletics, has unveiled his manifesto for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency. With fairness, inclusivity, and modern governance as his core principles, Coe's candidacy aims to reform the IOC’s structure while placing women’s sports at the heart of his agenda.

A bold stance on gender policies

Coe’s campaign promises to address gender identity and biological sex issues that have stirred controversy in recent competitions. Highlighting the cases of Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, who won gold in women’s boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics despite failing gender tests, Coe emphasized that such incidents would not have occurred under his leadership.

"On the female category, for me it was non-negotiable," Coe asserted. "If you don’t have clear policies, you end up with where you got to in Paris." Drawing on his experience as World Athletics president, where he implemented policies requiring testosterone suppression for athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD), Coe aims to safeguard the integrity of women's sports through science-based regulations.

A scientific and collaborative approach

Coe’s manifesto underscores the need to collaborate with top medical and educational institutions to research women’s health, sports performance, and exercise physiology. His policies seek to ensure fairness and inclusivity while protecting the integrity of women’s categories in competitive sports.

Reforming IOC governance

Coe also proposes structural reforms to modernize the IOC. He criticized the current concentration of power among a small group, advocating for more transparency and a collaborative decision-making model. "I want to open the windows," Coe said, emphasizing the need to create a freer, more accessible sporting environment.

Highlighting his desire for member empowerment, Coe remarked, "There’s no shortage of talent among the membership, but the reality is there isn’t enough input. There’s too much power in the hands of too few people."

A legacy of leadership

At 68, Coe’s leadership credentials are firmly established. As a double Olympic champion and the driving force behind the London 2012 Olympics, Coe has a proven track record of excellence and innovation. His achievements include revitalizing London’s Stratford area, creating thousands of jobs, and transforming it into a thriving Olympic hub.

Coe’s decision to introduce bonuses for gold medalists in athletics during the Paris Games, despite opposition from the IOC, signals his readiness to challenge traditional norms. "If you want a reset in sport, there has to be a reset in prioritization of budgets," he explained, prioritizing athletes’ interests.

The road ahead

Coe will present his manifesto in January before IOC members vote in March at the 144th Congress in Athens, Greece. With his emphasis on science-based fairness, structural reforms, and empowering athletes, Coe’s vision represents a decisive step toward a more inclusive and balanced Olympic movement.

(Sources: Javier Carro, AFP)