53. Seb Coe: Corruption, gender, and the geopolitics of sport
Jan 1, 2024
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Seb Coe, former world class runner and government whip, joins Rory and Alastair to discuss corruption, gender, and the geopolitics of sport. They explore doping in sports, Seb Coe's transition from athlete to politics, reflections on their career, and the current state of the Conservative Party.
The success of the Olympic Games boosted confidence in the UK's ability to handle big projects.
Free-to-air television is crucial for the popularity and recognition of athletics.
Efforts are being made to address doping, corruption, and transgender participation in athletics, aiming to maintain integrity while ensuring inclusivity.
Deep dives
Lord Co's Diverse Careers
Lord Co has had a diverse range of careers, starting from being a successful athlete to a Tory MP, followed by a transition to sports politics. His involvement in landing the Olympic Games for London 2012 was a significant achievement. He highlights the importance of teamwork and the talent and dedication of the people he worked with. Lord Co also reflects on how the success of the Olympic Games boosted confidence in the UK's ability to handle big projects. He emphasizes the need to recognize and believe in our own capabilities.
Lord Co's Personal Background
Lord Co's personal background is a mix of working-class and grand Indian relatives. His father's experiences during the war shaped his upbringing, and his mother's side of the family had a distinguished artistic and medical background. Lord Co shares a close bond with his father, who played a significant role as his coach. He describes the balance his parents brought to his life, ensuring that athletics did not consume him entirely.
Training as an Athlete and Sport's Public Attention
Lord Co explains the rigorous training regimen of an athlete, highlighting the importance of endurance and speed endurance. He reflects on the changing landscape of sports celebrity and the decline in public attention for athletics due to the shift towards pay-per-view and the dominance of football. Lord Co believes that free-to-air television is crucial for the popularity and recognition of athletics. He compares his era to the present, where football overshadows other sports in terms of public attention, wealth, and celebrity.
Key Focus Areas: Doping, Russia, and Transgender Participation
As the head of world athletics, Lord Co is tackling important issues such as doping, corruption, and transgender participation. While doping may never be completely eradicated, efforts are being made to address the issue, including the creation of an independent and anonymous athletic integrity unit. Russia has faced allegations of widespread corruption and manipulation of doping tests, leading to a major scandal in the sport. Lord Co has implemented measures to hold Russia accountable and restore fairness. Transgender participation in athletics is also a key area of focus, navigating the complexities surrounding gender identity and fair competition. Lord Co's aim is to maintain the integrity of the sport while ensuring inclusivity.
Seb Coe's Athletic Journey
Seb Coe and Steve Ovett, both accomplished athletes, came from different backgrounds and regions in England. Their paths crossed in various championships and games, leading to fierce competition and little communication. In their time, athletes relied on club-based training partners rather than centralized camps. Their experiences highlight the influence of landscape and geography on an individual's identity and mindset in the sport.
Seb Coe's Political Career
After retiring from athletics, Seb Coe entered politics and was elected as a Member of Parliament in 1992. Joining the House of Commons during the John Major Government, Coe's name recognition and success did not guarantee immediate ministerial positions. Coe discusses his entry into politics, the challenges faced as an MP, and the importance of staying true to one's principles while navigating the political landscape. He also reflects on the Conservative Party and its need to operate at the center for success.
Will doping ever be defeated in sport? What was it like going from world class runner to government whip? Are the Tories finished in Britain?
In the first Leading episode of 2024, Rory and Alastair are joined by Seb Coe to discuss all this and more.
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