Launching his bid to become president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the man who successfully delivered the London 2012 Olympic Games said athletes should also enjoy greater commercial opportunities, with an overhaul of prize money structure.
Double Olympic champion Sebastian Coe unveiled the manifesto behind his campaign to become head of world athletics on Wednesday, pledging a calendar and prize money revamp for new competitions, to bring back fans.
Launching his bid to become president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the man who successfully delivered the London 2012 Olympic Games said athletes should enjoy 'greater commercial opportunities', with an overhaul of prize money structure.
"The vision and proposals that I am unveiling today are designed to increase the reach and appeal of athletics in a world that is rapidly changing. I believe that it is essential that we open up a real debate and take a long hard look at the 'product' of athletics if we aim to attract more young people into our sport and drive increased participation and income.To many within and outside our sport, our calendar seems disjointed, lacks a narrative and the essential glue to build excitement and a loyal and passionate following" - Sebastian Coe.
Coe said the athletics calendar 'urgently' needed to be redrawn to make it more exciting.
'IAAF STREET ATHLETICS'
"Many fans don't know when the athletics season starts, when it ends, why it seems to bounce around from the USA to Europe to Asia and back again.A harmonised calendar is the key to promotion, marketing, the athletes and Member Federation development, and we must address this," said Coe.
He said presentation of events both in the stadium and the screens should change to make the competitions more attractive, while also integrating athletics competitions into inner cities to increase their reach beyond just the stadium.
Also Read: Former IOC vice-president Dick Pound backs squash inclusion in Olympics
"We need to be more innovative in how we project and present our sport to the world, both in venue and on screen, give serious consideration to an 'IAAF Street Athletics' circuit to help reach new audiences," added Coe, who won the 1500 metres gold in the 1980 and 1984 Olympics during a golden period for the sport in Britain.
He said prize money structures were 'dated' and should also change for the benefit of athletes.
Coe, an IAAF vice president since 2007, is so far the only candidate to succeed Senegalese Lamine Diack next year, but is likely to face opposition from Ukrainian former pole vault champion Sergey Bubka, a fellow vice-president.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Sebastian-Coe")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}