ATHLETICS. Sebastian Coe: it is very important that now Russia has its representative in the IAAF Council

The election of the President of the All Russia Athletic Federation Valentin Balakhnichev for the post of the member of the Council of the International Association of the Athletics Federations (IAAF) during the IAAF Congress, which was held in the Japan city Osaka on August, 22-23, is a very important event not only for Russia but also for the IAAF. The president of the Organizing Committee London 2012, the two times Olympic Champion Lord Sebastian Coe, who was elected for the vice-president of the IAAF Council, told about it to the special correspondents of the Agency of sport information “All Sport” in Osaka.

How do you evaluate the results of the elections, the changes in the IAAF Council?
It is great! I am very happy! It is a great honor to be elected for the post of the vice-president of the IAAF Council! And certainly, I will be happy to work with people, who were elected together with me.

And what can you say about the overwhelming leadership of Sergey Bubka at the election for the four positions of the vice-presidents? He had 30 votes more than you?
I am very happy for him and not surprised! Bubka is a big figure in the World sport politics and in the Olympic Movement. And he is a legendary athlete, he is still the World record holder, the Olympic Champion.

As well as you are. What do you think about the election of Valentin Balakhnichev to the member of the IAAF Council?
It is great! Not only for Russia, but for the IAAF it is very important, that Russia at last have its member in the IAAF Council. Especially at this moment, Moscow has won the right to hold the World Athletics Championship 2013. Although Russia has always played and is still playing a very important role in the World Athletics. It was absolutely necessary to have the Russian representative in the IAAF Council. It is a misunderstanding that there wasn’t any in the IAAF council for the previous four years. And I am very happy we improved it.

How do you plane to combine the work of the IAAF Council vice-president and the work of the president of the Organizing Committee London 2012? Is it possible for the person, who is responsible for the preparation of the Olympic Games, to do anything else?
Oh, you have named not all my responsibilities (laughing)! I do a lot of complicated job, and it is all concerning sports. And the Athletics is the main, the most important sport at the Summer Olympic Games. So, my work will help both Athletics and the Olympic Games, and London.
 
Is it true, that the budget for the Olympic Games in London has been increased again?
No, no! The Olympic Games’ budget has been approved and we didn’t change it at all! We want to get the maximum profits from these Games, we want to develop the city, especially the East London. That’s why we have changed a little bit the first plan of developing and building. But it concerns only the city, only Londone, but not the Games! And especially I am proud that all the changes are made with the private investments!