World Athletics regains international federation membership

World Athletics president Seb Coe has been approved as an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member at the 136th IOC Session held on Friday (July 17).

The IOC proposed Coe’s membership last month, when it was reported that the two-time Olympic 1500m gold medallist had agreed to take a more ‘passive position’ at sports agency CSM to avoid a potential conflict of interest.

During the IOC Session, which was held virtually, 85 valid votes were recorded, with 77 votes to approve Coe’s membership and eight votes against it.

“World Athletics is honoured to have regained its international federation membership of the IOC today. World Athletics would like to thank all IOC members for their trust in our sport,” said athletics’ global governing body.

Coe commented: “As president of World Athletics I’m absolutely delighted to represent our sport in the Olympic movement as an IOC member.

“Thank you to all of you who voted for our sport, our federation, today and I look forward, our whole sport looks forward, to working even more closely with all of you in reforming and building all sports.

“At this time, of all times, the need for community and elite sport to thrive and flourish, has probably never been more important.”