Seb Coe calls for a reformed Athletics calendar to support global growth

IAAF Presidential Candidate Seb Coe has called for the restructuring of the global Athletics calendar and improvements to the presentation of the sport to enable Athletics to reach its full potential and grow and flourish worldwide.

Coe confirmed that if elected IAAF President he will establish a World Athletics Calendar Reform and Sports Presentation group to produce recommendations that would be considered by an IAAF Special Congress in the first quarter of 2016.

Speaking from the Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar, Seb Coe, said:

"I believe that the creation of a truly harmonised calendar is key to the global promotion of Athletics and also Member Federation development. Listening to the Federations and our broadcasters, sponsors and athletes, it’s clear that we need new competitive structures for the future. We must look at how the format and presentation of competitions like the Diamond League fit within the overall calendar and how we can help boost the quality of these competitions to make each meeting and the overall season more compelling. We need to strengthen our dialogue within the sport on this issue and, if elected IAAF President, I would establish a World Athletics Calendar Reform and Sports Presentation group which will be tasked with making recommendations for the future in the early part of 2016."

Coe, added:

"In 2019 the IAAF World Championships will be held here in Doha and this creates a fantastic platform for the Middle East region to build on. By taking our showcase event to new markets and ensuring we build a purposeful and effective global calendar, I believe Athletics can enter a new era of development that will see more young people become athletes, more people watching and consuming our sport and greater revenues flowing into the Athletics family."

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