Face to Face with Sebastian Coe Inspire a New Generation Without Youth the Olympics Has No Future

By May Zhao

As the race intensifies among the seven candidates for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with the final result set to be announced on March 30, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), in collaboration with the IOC, has seized the moment to organize global media interviews with each of the candidates. I was honored to be invited to participate in this special event and engage in discussions with the candidates.

Sebastian Coe, former Chair of the London 2012 Organizing Committee, is renowned for the Games’ slogan, “Inspire a Generation”, which ignited the sporting dreams of countless young people.

During my interview with Coe, he told me, “We hope the passion of the Olympics can connect young people worldwide and inspire them to engage in sport.”

Today, Coe’s commitment remains unwavering. “If we lose young people, we lose the future of the Olympic movement.” This is a message he has repeatedly emphasized throughout his campaign for IOC President. His vision is clear—bring the Olympic Movement back to its essence, placing sport at its core, revitalizing its modern appeal, and inspiring a new generation to pursue sport and their dreams.

In Coe’s view, sport is not only about competition but also carries educational, health, and social values. He advocates for embedding the Olympic Movement into the development of young people, motivating them to embrace and participate in sport.

Coe’s reform agenda is straightforward: return to the fundamentals of sport, focus on athletes and youth, and drive IOC modernization through innovation. He firmly believes that only by centering athletes, inspiring young people, and fostering continuous innovation can the Olympic Movement have a sustainable future. As he says, “The Olympics are not just about medals; they are about inspiring a generation to surpass themselves.”

At 68, Coe is the oldest among the seven candidates, yet his campaign focuses on youth—a striking contrast that makes his candidacy especially memorable. This blend of experience and youthful energy gives him a unique vitality, making him appear dynamic and forward-looking despite bidding farewell to his sixties.

As former Chair of the London Organizing Committee and current President of World Athletics, Coe deeply understands the challenges of governance and excels at building efficient, candid teams. He advocates breaking the closed nature of IOC decision-making, empowering all members to become co-creators of the Olympic future. He proposes reviving the “Olympic Congress” to promote open discussions and renew the culture of the IOC.

Coe believes artificial intelligence is an opportunity for today, not a fantasy of tomorrow. AI, he argues, can help identify talent, optimize events, enhance sustainability, and ensure fairness in anti-doping. He emphasizes, “AI should not be mystified or feared. It should be applied swiftly.”

Beyond these core themes, our interview also addressed several pressing issues:

1. Transgender Athletes: Coe stresses the importance of safeguarding fairness in women’s sports. The current policies on DSD (Differences of Sexual Development) and transgender participation remain unchanged, ensuring clarity in regulations and fairness in competition.

2. Participation During Wartime: He believes war should not strip athletes of their right to compete. The Olympics must rise above politics and protect individual rights and sporting unity.

3. Anti-Doping: Coe stands for “zero tolerance” on doping. He insists that anti-doping systems must remain independent to protect clean athletes and guarantee fair competition.

4. Olympic Prize Money: Coe supports World Athletics’ decision to award prize money to Olympic gold medalists. However, he believes each sport should decide independently and does not advocate for mandatory IOC implementation across the board.

5. Bidding Process: He calls for strengthened bid evaluation and on-site inspections. Strict enforcement of hosting contracts is necessary to prevent arbitrary changes and ensure commitments are honored.

6. Historical Doping Scandals: Coe acknowledges the complexities surrounding East Germany’s doping legacy. He supports promoting lawful and fair historical assessments to protect the rights of affected athletes.

7. Boxing at the Olympics: He is committed to maintaining boxing’s place on the Olympic program. He backs governance reforms to ensure the sport meets IOC standards of transparency, fairness, and integrity.

8. Core Principles: Coe asserts that the Olympics must always be athlete-centered, upholding fairness, integrity, and sustainable development.

On March 20, the election for IOC President will be revealed. Can Sebastian Coe, with his trademark passion and vision, lead the Olympic Movement into a more modern, open, and inclusive new era? The global sporting community is watching…

Photo credits: IOC / AIPS / LFL