Sebastian Coe feels he has momentum as the race to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee reaches its final hours.
Most experts believe that the seven-strong contest to be the next leader of global sport is on a knife‑edge, with Coe one of the “big three” alongside the Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, who is the favourite, and Kirsty Coventry, who would be the first female president of the IOC.
However, Lord Coe struck an upbeat tone after meeting many of the 98 voters who will decide his fate before the vote on Thursday afternoon. “I feel there is momentum,” he said.
“I have enjoyed the campaign and the discussions I have had. I have listened a lot and I’ve heard about what members are concerned about and what they would like to change.
“I believe my manifesto strikes the right balance of building on the last 12 years and change with purpose and care. It’s an election and I’m enjoying the energy.”
In recent days Coe has been given the backing of Usain Bolt, Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis-Hill and on Wednesday evening Manchester United also came out in support, citing his work in helping to drive the Old Trafford regeneration taskforce.
“Everyone at Manchester United is backing your campaign to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee,” the United chief executive, Omar Berrada, wrote. “You have demonstrated your impeccable credentials as an unrivalled leader in global sport, and we were fortunate enough to benefit from those priceless skills as you drove forward, and shaped, our ambitious vision for a new stadium and the regeneration of Trafford Park. There is no doubt that if you are elected you will be a most innovative and effective leader of the Olympic Family.”
The 41-year-old Coventry sounded optimistic when asked whether it was time for the first women president of the IOC. “Well, I’m biased, so I’m going to say yes,” she said.
She refused to be drawn on suggestions that the IOC president, Thomas Bach, had been lobbying for her behind the scenes, much to the consternation of some of the other candidates. Samaranch, whose father ran the IOC from 1982 to 2001, seemed confident as well. “I can promise you that I will be working until the very last second,” he said.
“The journey has been an incredible experience for myself, a personal effort that I will always cherish. But now I want to win.”
