Seb Coe Steps Down From Nike Ambassadorial Role

International Association of Athletics (IAAF) president Seb Coe has stepped down from his ambassadorial role with major sportswear brand Nike.

Coe had been an ambassador for the brand for 38 years, where he was paid £100,000 a year, but he has decided to relinquish the role after allegations of a conflict of interest after the American city of Eugene in Oregon, where Nike is based, was named as the host city for the 2021 World Athletics Championships, without a bidding process.

After a meeting of IAAF’s council in Monaco, Coe annouced his decision to end ties with Nike, saying the reports had become a distraction to him, but denied it was due to a conflict of interest.

“It is clear that perception and reality have become horribly mangled. I have stepped down from the Nike position I have held for 38 years,” he said.

“The current noise level around this role is not good for the IAAF and for Nike. It is a distraction to the 18-hour days that I and my teams are working to steady the ship. I don’t feel my role with Nike is a conflict of interest but is has become a distraction.”

Coe has also announced that he will be stepping down as the chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA) after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

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