International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe appears to be on course to finally join the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after it was revealed that he had been initially proposed for membership four years ago.
IOC President Thomas Bach claimed that he first put Coe’s name forward in 2015 following his initial election as President of the IAAF but his application had raised concerns with the organisation’s Ethics Commission about possible conflicts of interest.
These were linked to Coe’s position as chairman of CSM Sport & Entertainment, a global brand agency that works with several companies and organisations who work on behalf of the Olympic Movement.
Coe, meanwhile, is understood not to have actively pursued joining the IOC because he wanted to concentrate on his role at the IAAF and overseeing a series of reforms to help restore confidence in the world governing body following the Russian doping crisis and corruption linked to his predecessor Lamine Diack.
But Coe’s membership is now firmly back on the agenda following his re-election for a second term as IAAF President here last Wednesday (September 25).
It is understood that the double Olympic gold medallist and Bach have held informal discussions during his visit to attend the opening weekend of the IAAF World Championships.
Coe has reassured Bach that his role at CSM is mainly advisory and he is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the London-based company.
Coe’s potential membership could be discussed, along with that of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, at the IOC Executive Board meeting in Lausanne this Wednesday and Thursday (October 2 and 3).