Sebastian Coe discusses future of athletics and World Championship bids

Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, has outlined his vision for the future of track and field following the Ultimate Championship in Budapest. Coe emphasized the importance of storytelling and the personal lives of athletes to engage younger audiences and social media users, noting that the sport must move beyond mere stadium performances to create emotional connections.

As the organization prepares to award the hosting rights for the 2029 and 2031 World Athletics Championships, Coe noted that there are “excellent, truly convincing offers on the table.” Munich is among the contenders, facing competition from London, Rome, and Nairobi. A victory for Nairobi would mark the first time the championships are held on the African continent.

The new Ultimate Championship format, which features a condensed program of 26 individual and two mixed relay events, aims to be faster and more visually engaging. While the format has faced criticism from disciplines excluded from the program, Coe intends to use lessons learned from this event to refine future World Championships and Olympic programs.