Sebastian Coe Elected to Lead IAAF
The international track and field governing body
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British middle-distance runner and two-time Olympic champion Sebastian Coe was elected president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on Wednesday in Beijing, according to the Guardian. He had served as the vice president since 2007.
Coe takes on the position as track and field weathers a series of doping scandals, including doubts cast on Alberto Salazar, one of the sport’s most prominent coaches, and the release of athletes’ blood test data showing evidence of manipulation, which caused some observers to question the IAAF’s approach to doping. Coe campaigned on a platform of directing more resources to combat doping.
The election came just ahead of the world championships, which begin Saturday in Bejing.