Coe warns against political interference in sport ahead of LA Olympics

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has issued a warning about growing political interference in sport, saying such influence needs to be kept in check to preserve the independence of athletic competition.

In his remarks, Coe referenced two of the world's biggest sporting events as context for the issue: the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. Both events, he suggested, illustrate why the relationship between politics and sport has become an increasingly pressing topic.

Guarding sport's independence

As head of one of the most influential international sports federations, Coe stressed that political interference in the running and organization of sporting events must remain limited. His comments come at a time when major international sporting events are increasingly used as platforms for political messaging and competing national interests.

The statement did not detail specific past incidents of political interference, but it signals ongoing concern within sports governance circles as major global tournaments approach.

Coe, who leads World Athletics, is regarded as one of the most prominent voices in international sports administration. His comments on this topic are seen as part of a broader ongoing debate about keeping sporting bodies independent from national and international political pressures.