World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has outlined his strategy for preventing political interference in global sport, emphasizing the need to maintain close ties with governments while ensuring they do not influence sporting decisions. Speaking to journalists at the European championships on Friday, Coe said, 'The balance is keeping the politicians on the bus but not letting them anywhere near the steering wheel.'

Coe, who led the organizing committee for the 2012 London Olympics, highlighted the importance of strong working relationships with government officials for the successful delivery of major events. However, he stressed that sports organizations must have the resilience to resist political pressure, citing the need to say, 'I hear what you say, but thank you and goodnight.'

The 69-year-old Briton commented on the recent controversy involving FIFA, where US President Donald Trump allegedly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request the overturning of a red-card suspension for American forward Folarin Balogun. FIFA complied with the request, drawing criticism. Coe noted that such incidents underscore the importance of organizational independence.

Coe also addressed the growing role of private equity in sports, noting that private investors and sovereign wealth funds have been investing in athletics for years. With World Athletics' broadcast and sponsorship deals expiring in 2029, Coe emphasized the need to explore external revenue sources, but insisted on proper governance and transparency. 'Private equity is a big play in many sports,' he said, adding that he has encouraged federations to consider such partnerships.

Regarding the ban on Russian athletes, Coe confirmed he will personally defend World Athletics' position at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The ban, imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, remains in place despite the IOC's recommendation to allow Russian athletes to compete as neutrals. Coe stated, 'This is not about politics or passports. This is about the integrity of competition.' He reiterated that the primacy of international federations to determine eligibility is fundamental.

Source: www.aljazeera.com