中华时报/中华新闻网/中华新闻通讯社（赵雪湄）68岁的英国奥运传奇塞巴斯蒂安·科（Sebastian Coe）迎来人生最重要的一场竞赛——角逐国际奥委会（IOC）主席。他正与另外六位候选人竞争，力争在3月20日希腊第144届IOC全会上接棒托马斯·巴赫，执掌全球体育最高权力。
“这几乎是我一生的准备。”科坦言。从奥运金牌得主到伦敦奥组委主席，再到世界田联掌门人，加上从政经历与三十年体育商业实践，他的履历几乎涵盖奥林匹克体系的每一个核心角色。他强调，这不仅是一份职责，更是一项使命。
作为两届奥运1500米金牌得主和11项世界纪录保持者，科始终坚持“以运动员为核心”。他认为，运动员是奥林匹克的灵魂，是激励世界的榜样。他表示，奥运必须始终以运动员利益为先，确保赛事公正、安全并推动包容与和平。
谈及参选初衷，科透露，直到巴黎奥运闭幕，巴赫主席确认不再连任，他才认真考虑参选。在家人的支持下，他决定迎接这一挑战。“如果有机会为奥林匹克做出更多贡献，我责无旁贷。”
科强调，奥林匹克当前面临诸多挑战——跨性别运动员政策、奖金分配、反兴奋剂、人工智能的引入，以及战时运动员的参赛资格等，他的使命是保障公平与正义，维护奥林匹克精神。他主张所有改革必须回归公平竞赛和运动员权益的本质。
作为现任IOC委员和世界田联主席，科表示有信心引领IOC走向更高的治理透明度和公信力。他的竞选被视为奥林匹克改革与稳定的平衡之选。他也承诺尊重委员们的民主决定。
“这是我人生中最重要的竞赛。”科说。距离投票还有不到两周，这位赛场传奇再次站上起跑线，冲刺奥林匹克权力之巅。
At 68, British Olympic legend Sebastian Coe is embarking on the most important race of his life—his campaign for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Coe is one of seven candidates vying to succeed Thomas Bach and take the helm of global sport’s highest governing body at the 144th IOC Session in Greece on March 20.
“In many ways, I feel like I’ve been preparing for this my entire life,” Coe admits. From Olympic gold medalist to Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, to President of World Athletics, combined with political experience and three decades in sports business, his career spans nearly every key role in the Olympic ecosystem. He emphasizes that this is not merely a responsibility, but a mission.
As a two-time Olympic 1500m champion and former holder of 11 world records, Coe has consistently championed the principle of “putting athletes at the heart”. He believes athletes are the soul of the Olympic Movement and role models who inspire the world. He insists the Olympics must always prioritize athletes’ interests, ensuring fair, safe, inclusive competitions that promote peace.
Explaining his decision to run, Coe revealed that he only seriously considered entering the race after the closing of the Paris 2024 Games, when Thomas Bach confirmed he would not seek another term. With his family’s full support, Coe chose to embrace the challenge. “If there’s an opportunity to contribute more to the Olympic Movement, I have a duty to take it,” he said.
Coe acknowledges the many pressing challenges facing the Olympics today—policies on transgender athletes, prize money distribution, anti-doping enforcement, the integration of artificial intelligence, and participation of athletes from conflict zones. His mission, he says, is to safeguard fairness and justice while upholding the Olympic values. He believes all reforms must return to the fundamental principle of fair play and the protection of athletes’ rights.
Currently an IOC member and President of World Athletics, Coe expresses confidence in leading the IOC towards greater transparency and credibility. His campaign is viewed as a balance between reform and stability for the Olympic Movement. He also pledges to respect the democratic choices of IOC members.
“This is the most important race of my life,” Coe said. With less than two weeks until the vote, the legendary runner is once again at the starting line, sprinting toward the summit of Olympic power