MONACO – The IAAF has sent the BBC the following comment in the Tuesday´s issue concerning the involvement of Sebastian Coe in the process of Eugene given the right to host the 2021 IAAF World Championships.
"Much has been written about the unusual but not unprecedented way in which Eugene was awarded the 2021 World Championships. Seb believed, along with many other council members, that the usual process would be followed and encouraged Eugene to enter the bidding cycling for 2021 which would be decided in November 2016," the IAAF sent to BBC.
"He sought clarity from President Diack when asked by Gothenburg about the 2021 bidding process and received assurances that no decision would be made at the April Council meeting so he continued to encourage Gothenburg and Eugene to both put themselves forward for the 2021 bidding cycle," added the IAAF email.
BBC pointed out that IAAF president Lord Coe is facing conflict of interest allegations after emails emerged suggesting he lobbied his predecessor over the hosting of the 2021 World Championships.
"No, I did not lobby anyone on behalf of the Eugene 2021 bid. After their narrow defeat for the 2019 World Championships I encouraged them to re-enter another bidding cycle as they had a strong bid. My views on all the bids for the 2019 IAAF World Championships (including Eugene) are a matter of record as I was Chair of the Evaluation Commission for those bids. All my interests were, and continue to be, fully declared to the IAAF Ethics Committee and listed at the House of Lords," Coe said in response to questions.
Earlier this week, A police investigation must be held into the IAAF awarding of the 2021 World Championships to Eugene.
A former head of Interpol wants the investigation done following the release of letters sent to Lamine Diack, then head of the governing body, insidethegames is reporting.
Eugene was awarded the 2021 edition by the IAAF Council in April without a formal evaluation process or consideration of rival bids.
Björn Eriksson, a retired civil servant who was Interpol President from 1994 to 1996 before heading to Swedish Athletics Federation as president and so to rival bid from Gothenburg, has claimed they were repeatedly promised by Diack that they would be given a chance to present their case.
