IAAF adopts Sebastian Coe's reform package for athletics
Last Updated: 03/12/16 7:13pm
The IAAF has unanimously adopted a reform package drawn up by president Sebastian Coe in a bid to end "grotesque" corruption that has rocked track and field's governing body.
In a Special Congress in Monaco, 182 member federations voted for Coe's Time for Change package, with 10 against and five invalid votes.
Some 197 of the IAAF's 213 member federations were present for the vote, the result of which was a major boost for Coe.
"Let me thank you for the confidence that you have shown the Council today in the reform proposals that you have agreed to. This is a very important moment in the history of our sport," said Coe.
Coe's reforms, with a nod to disgraced predecessor Lamine Diack's abuse of the presidency, include stripping himself of some powers, with the president and IAAF Council not allowed to serve more than 12 years and with more checks put in place.
"Too much power rested in the hands of too few people," Coe said.
The reforms also push for gender balance with the aim of women being equally represented on the IAAF ruling
council by 2023, while athletes will also be handed a greater voice with the doubling of their council representation from one seat to two.
Coe's plans also include the establishment of an independent integrity unit that would manage all anti-doping matters - designed to speed up the disciplinary process and make punishments more uniform - and be responsible for greater intelligence gathering. .
"We're putting in place a framework that should have been there years ago," Coe said, telling members that they should all feel "violated" given the amount of money that had been siphoned off instead of having been "used for the development of athletics".
"It's bad enough that any of this happened, but it cannot happen for a second time, not on our watch, not anyone else's watch.
"Let's not beat around the bush, our sport, our family, is under threat. Sitting out the fight is not an option."
Meanwhile, Japanese footwear and sports equipment manufacturer Asics has been named as an official partner of the IAAF, just a day after Adidas cut short its deal.
Asics has signed a multiple-year partnership that will cover the 2017 and 2019 World Championships in London and Doha respectively, although no financial details were given.
Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4th!
