Reaction to Sebastian Coe's election as IAAF president
BEIJING (AP) Two-time Olympic gold medalist Sebastian Coe beat Ukraine pole vault great Sergei Bubka in an election Wednesday to replace Lamine Diack as president of the international track and field federation.
Here's a sample of how the election of the 58-year-old Coe, head of the British Olympic Association and chairman of the London 2012 Olympic organizing committee, was received:
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''The Presidency of the IAAF should be dream job for Seb - almost as much as guiding his own Olympic career and the London Olympic project. I could not be happier for him.'' - World Anti-Doping Agency President Craig Reedie.
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''USATF has had the opportunity to work especially closely with Lord Coe over the last three years, and we have been impressed with his vision for the sport, his dedication to its cause and his demonstrated effectiveness as a leader. His progressive view for how to market the sport and attract sponsors globally has the potential to truly transform athletics under his leadership.'' - USA Track and Field.
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''We have a new generation coming up and a man who has devoted his life to the sport. For me it's a dream come true that I can pass on the baton to Sebastian, who has been prepared for the job.'' - Outgoing IAAF President Lamine Diack of Senegal.
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''I'd like to congratulate Seb for this great, interesting campaign which is really important for our sport. I know athletics in the future will grow and become stronger and stronger.'' - Rival candidate Sergei Bubka
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''I am looking forward to working closely with him over the coming years for the good of our sport.'' - European Athletics president Svein Arne Hansen
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''His wealth of knowledge in the field of sports governance and administration, acquired through time as an athlete, politician and a businessman, will ensure that athletics globally is in capable hands in years to come.'' - Athletics Australia president David Grace.
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''We've got the right guy leading the sport through difficult times in the coming years.'' - UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner tells British media.
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''Delighted (at)sebcoe has been elected the new president of the IAAF - an outstanding athlete who delivered the brilliant London 2012 Olympics.'' - British Prime Minister David Cameron's post on Twitter.
