President of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Sebastian Coe, says his ambition and vision for 2016 is to have the athletics sport attracting more young people.
Coe, in his New Year message released on Wednesday, noted that the average age of those watching track and field was 55 years old and that it was not sustainable.
“Marking the start of a new year, the road map recognises problems in two distinct areas — in the governing body and in the sport itself.
“My vision is to have a sport that attracts more young people. The average age of those watching track and field is 55 years old. This is not sustainable.
“The key to making that vision a reality is creating a sport that people once more trust in.
“Athletics must be a sport that athletes, fans, sponsors, media and parents alike know is safe to compete in on a level-playing field.
“And it must be one in which clean effort is rewarded and celebrated,” it quoted Coe as saying.
The message also highlighted the roadmap to building trust in the governing body to include organising the governing body for clear lines of responsibility.
“This will be completed mid-2016 with the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).’’
Coe further said, in the message, that the roadmap also included rewriting the IAAF constitution to make sure it was modern and fit for purpose.
He said the constitution should be capable of delivering the guidance and protection that was required.
“This process is underway but a new constitution needs the approval of the IAAF member-federations’’
The next IAAF congress takes place in London in August, 2017.
Coe also said IAAF would also double its anti-doping budget from $4 million to $8 million, upon establishing the integrity unit in mid-2016.
“IAAF will also double the current international testing pool of athletes to 1,000 athletes after establishing the integrity unit and doubling the budget in mid-2016.’’
