Coe: „Politicians allowed on bus, just not behind wheel“ – Sam May in „inside the games“

Speaking at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, Sebastian Coe discussed political interference, private equity and FIFA’s credibility. Asked about avoiding political turmoil ahead of Los Angeles 2028, he stressed the need for strong government ties without compromising sporting independence.

„The balance is keeping the politicians on the bus but not letting them anywhere near the steering wheel,“ Coe said. The 69-year-old two-time Olympic 1,500-metre champion has extensive government experience, having led London’s 2012 Olympic bid and organising committee.

„I ran the London Games. I know it’s really important that you have really good working relationships with government, prime ministers,“ Coe said. „The delivery of the Games is in large part predicated on those relationships, with Treasury, Defense, Homeland Security, in our terms the Home Office.“

Coe said sports bodies must resist political pressure, citing controversy over US President Donald Trump’s call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino over Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension, which FIFA later overturned. Coe said such situations were „entirely down to the resilience of a sporting organisation to say, ‚I hear what you say, but thank you and goodnight.'“

He said federations increasingly need new revenue streams and noted that some athletics bodies are discussing partnerships with outside investors. „Private equity is a big play in many sports. There are individual athletics federations at this very moment I know are discussing partnerships with external sources of revenue including private equity,“ Coe said. „That’s the way it should be, and that’s what I’ve encouraged our federations to look at.“

However, he stressed that outside investment must have strong governance, transparency and consultation. „What you want to absolutely make sure is when that does take place that your sport has the kinds of governances and checks and balance and the type of consultation that allows people to understand the rationale, the ambition and what the execution looks like. That is critical.

World Athletics is also considering new commercial opportunities, with its broadcast and sponsorship agreements due to expire in 2029. „It’s an absolutely critical conversation to have. That debate has been taking place for two or three years, particularly at executive board level,“ Coe said.

The Russian athlete dispute highlights World Athletics‘ differing stance. Russian Athletics has appealed to CAS against sanctions imposed on Russian and Belarusian athletes in March 2022, which World Athletics confirmed it would maintain in July. Russian Athletics has described the sanctions as ’selective and politicised‘.

„The current restrictions infringe on the organisation’s rights and prevent it from fully representing the interests of Russian athletes on an international level,“ the federation said.

The International Olympic Committee has taken a different approach, announcing that Russian athletes will be allowed to compete in team events and qualifying competitions for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. „We made it clear that we wanted to ensure all athletes have the possibility to compete at the Olympic Games and not be held responsible for their government’s actions,“ IOC President Kirsty Coventry said.

World Gymnastics and the International Skating Union are also among federations that have eased restrictions on Russian competitors. Coe, however, remains committed to World Athletics‘ policy and intends to appear before CAS.

„I will be in the court of arbitration defending that position. That’s how I feel about it,“ Coe said. „We will as a sport continue to do what we think is in the best interests of our sport. The primacy of an international federation to determine what eligibility looks like in your sport is the base of the pyramid. When we have been to the court before on previous occasions, that concept has been upheld.“

Coe rejected the suggestion that the policy is politically motivated. „This is not about politics or passports. This is about the integrity of competition, and that is the position that we will be defending.“

The IOC’s decision to allow greater Russian participation has drawn criticism from Ukraine, which described the move as ‚premature‘ and ‚unfounded‘ as Russia’s war continues into its fifth year. World Athletics established a dedicated fund in 2022 to support Ukrainian athletes and has acknowledged the war has severely affected their ability to train and compete.

Sam May in „inside the games“ – 16.8.2026

Sam May

Desk editor

Born and raised in England, Sam is an editor and sports writer based in Barcelona.