Sebastian Coe became the new athletics president. – Aftenposten

The Briton beat Sergei Bubka in the decisive vote.

Athletics legend Sebastian Coe was Wednesday elected the new president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The former middle distance runner beat Ukrainian Sergey Bubka in the decisive vote. Coe got 115 votes, while Bubka had to settle for 92.

58 years old Coe takes over the presidency after Senegalese Lamine Diack, who has served as CEO for 16 years.

– Most in this room will conclude that the birth of our children is the greatest moment in his life, but to get the opportunity to work with all of you and shaping the future of our sport, is the second largest and most significant event in my life, said athletics legend after that voting in Beijing was done.

Long campaigning

Moreover, added the man who set eight outdoor world records in middle distance between 1979 and 1981 that he looks forward to getting to know his wife again after Having driven an intensive campaign for several months.

– I’ll meet her outside this courtroom with a photo of myself, so that she remembers how I look, smiled the fresh president.

The outgoing president Diack applauded the choice of Coe.

– The sport of ours is now in safe hands. The gray-haired generation has done what it can, now takes over the generation that still have black hair, said 82-year-old comic.

See also: Europe hopes Coe

Doping Kamp

Coe, who is elected for four years, will take pace stick at a time when athletes are characterized by a serious doping debate. Allegations that prominent medalists from the championships in the 2000s should have been suspicious blood values ​​has recently dominated the headlines.

Read also: Most release doping test in Beijing World Cup

28 athletes who competed in the period 2005 to 2008 can even be revealed as cheaters after doping tests the pillow in the same period retested. Now it Coes job to clean up and restore athletics reputation.

The Briton has in recent months President struggle advocated that the International Association of Athletics Federations should establish its own independent anti-doping agency.

Coe, who took Olympic gold in the 1500 meters, both in 1980 and 1984, after his active career turned up that sports politician. In 2012, he was chief of the London Olympics.

(© NTB)