World Athletics chief warns against political interference ahead of LA Olympics

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe warned that political interference must be restrained as the sport prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Speaking at a recent executive board meeting, Coe emphasized that the integrity of athletics competitions depends on keeping governance and athlete participation free from external political pressure, noting that recent disputes have highlighted the risk of politicisation in international events.

Coe called on national federations, governments and sponsors to respect the autonomy of World Athletics and to support a neutral environment for athletes ahead of the LA Games. He reiterated the organization’s commitment to applying its established eligibility and anti‑discrimination policies uniformly, while urging stakeholders to focus on fair play and the sport’s global development. The statement comes as the federation finalises qualification criteria and prepares for the upcoming Olympic programme, underscoring its intent to safeguard athletics from undue political influence.