Title: World Athletics Presidents’ Approach to Geopolitical Conflicts and Sport: Neutrality with Flexibility
World Athletics (WA) President Sebastian Coe has emphasized the need for his organization to remain politically neutral when handling the impact of global conflicts and geopolitics on the sport. The international governing body for track and field has been under scrutiny following the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from its events since March 2022.
Amid growing calls for similar sporting sanctions against Israeli athletes due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Coe has highlighted that every situation is unique and requires a different approach. In an interview with CNN Sport, he stated: “We’re not the United Nations. We’re not a political body. We’re an international federation for sport.”
Coe, a double Olympic gold medalist in the 1,500 meters and a former Conservative Member of Parliament from the UK, reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the global nature of athletics while ensuring political neutrality. He acknowledged that WA takes stands when necessary but emphasized that each situation must be evaluated independently: “We recognize that whenever you make a judgment politically, you are setting a precedent, but I do think you have to deal with those issues as they arise.”
The Israel-Gaza conflict has resulted in over 30,200 deaths since October 2021, leading various sporting bodies and lawmakers to demand sanctions against Israeli athletes. Last month, 26 French lawmakers urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to impose similar sanctions as those placed on Russian and Belarusian athletes. Additionally, 12 Middle Eastern football associations asked FIFA to ban Israel’s national soccer team over alleged war crimes in Palestine and the Gaza Strip.
WA’s stance on Israeli participation at track and field events has been a subject of debate. Coe acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating, “You do have to deal with what is in front of you.” He further clarified that other organizations should make judgments regarding Israeli athletes’ participation while WA focuses on maintaining the sport under difficult circumstances.
Currently, Russian and Belarusian track and field athletes are banned from competing at the Olympics in Paris due to WA’s decision. The IOC has allowed these athletes to participate as neutral competitors if they meet specific eligibility requirements.
WA’s stance on Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation has been welcomed by Ukrainian athletes, who argue that their presence in sporting events strengthens Moscow’s propaganda machine. However, the IOC has taken a different approach, allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals at this year’s Olympics.
Regarding the possibility of revising WA’s ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, Coe revealed that a small working group would evaluate the circumstances under which this exclusion might be removed. He emphasized that the integrity of competition remains a priority and that WA will continue to monitor the situation closely.
