Juico hails Coe election as new IAAF head

Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Juico Wednesday expressed optimism that the election of British former Olympic champion Sebastian Coe as new international athletics federation chief will be a “tremendous advantage” for the country.

Coe, a former member of the British Parliament and proponent of the United Kingdom’s Olympic bid in 2012, won the presidency of the International Association of Athletics Federation during the 50th IAAF Congress held in Beijing.

He beat former World and Olympic pole vault champion Sergey Bubka in the final vote. The Ukrainian many-time world record holder was then reelected as IAAF vice president.

“Both Seb Coe and Sergey Bubka exemplified what’s best in both athletics and sports. Bubka was reelected vice president,” said Juico. “That means we have the highest leadership of IAAF as our allies.”

Bubka even visited the country last month as part of his IAAF campaign.

Among Coe’s advocacies was to help developing nations like the Philippines bolster their athletics program.

“We look forward to working with him,” added Juico. “That should be a tremendous advantage for the Philippines. Bubka has helped us in pole vault tremendously and we hope Sergey and Seb Coe continue their assistance to Patafa.”

“Sebastian Coe is both an outstanding athlete and administrator who knows athletics and the IAAF by heart.”