Embattled track federation elects Sebastian Coe as president

Surrounded by a flurry of doping allegations, the international track-and-field federation has turned to the well-liked and respected Sebastian Coe for new leadership.

Coe was elected president by the IAAF’s 207 member federations on Wednesday, outdistancing former Ukrainian pole vaulter Sergey Bubka by more than 20 votes.

The 58-year-old Englishman won four Olympic medals during his athletic career, including gold at 1,500 meters in 1980 and 1984. He later served as a member of parliament and chairman of the organizing committee for the 2012 London Games.

Coe becomes the federation’s sixth president, replacing Lamine Diack, who retired after 16 years on the job.

“I am deeply honored that our sport has placed its trust in me,” Coe said. “There is no job I want to do more – nor with greater commitment.”

The IAAF has come under fire after reports in German and British media alleged it had failed to take action on scores of suspicious test results that were leaked from its database.

On Wednesday, the federation also elected council members. Stephanie Hightower, president of USA Track & Field, led all vote-getters.

Coe can begin the challenge of rehabilitating the sport when he takes office at the end of August, after the world championships in Beijing.

Bubka said: “I know that athletics in the future will grow, and become stronger and stronger.”