The head of world athletics’ governing body announced at a press conference in Monaco that he had cut his ties with the American sportswear giant.
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Coe’s paid advisory role for Nike is not on the agenda of the Monaco meeting and the IAAF says it “has never been seen, nor is it seen, as a matter of ethical concern”.
Lord Sebastian Coe has finally severed his ties with Nike after accusations of a conflict of interest in his new role as the president of the crisis-hit IAAF. Eugene was awarded the 2021 outdoor track and field championships in April, not too long after losing the bidding for the 2019 world championships to Doha.
Eugene was awarded the 2021 competition without a real bidding process between it and the other would-be host, Gothenburg, Sweden.
The situation was “not good for IAAF and not good for Nike”.
“Our focus is entirely on steadying the ship, it’s taking 18 hours a day, and this had become a distraction”.
Coe also announced he would be stepping down as British Olympic Association chairman after the Rio Olympics and that his sports marketing company CSM would not tender any IAAF work.
Due out early next year, this second scathing report will spotlight disorganization, corruption, and bribery within the ranks of the IAAF.
Coe’s decision, which he said was taken in recent weeks, shows both a willingness to compromise and that he recognizes that the IAAF has bigger fish to fry at the moment than have to face questions about its president’s outside business dealings and whether they could cloud his judgement.
On Thursday, the IAAF council meets in Monte Carlo, where it would discuss the path Russian Federation must follow to have its suspension from the sport lifted after it was banned on the recommendation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for a programme of widespread doping and corruption.
Coe’s alleged conflict of interest to one side, his predecessor Lamine Diack is under French police investigation for allegedly having accepted more than 1 million euros (US$1.06 million) in bribes to allow athletes compete despite them having tested positive for banned substances.
The Council approved Coe’s new integrity unit which he said will look at anti-doping, the manipulation of sports competitions, age manipulations, allegiance switches and the behaviour and conduct of third parties and representatives.
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The IAAF said the Russian federation (Araf) promised to cooperate with inspectors who will oversee changes to its drug-testing program and is eligible to apply for reinstatement. A close advisor and a former IAAF anti-doping doctor have also been charged.
