Sebastian Coe steps down from ambassadorial role with Nike

Sebastian Coe is facing conflict of interest allegations over the bidding of 2021 World Championships.

New Delhi: In a bid to salvage his position as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Sebastian Coe on Thursday stepped down from his ambassadorial role with Nike with immediate effect.

Coe, 59, is facing conflict of interest allegations after an email emerged suggesting he lobbied his predecessor over the hosting of the 2021 World Athletics Championships in Eugene.

In a press conference following a meeting of the IAAF’s council in Monaco, Coe admitted his role had become a distraction.

“The current noise around it is not good for the IAAF and it is not good for Nike,” he said.

“It is clear perception and reality have become horribly mangled.”

In the leaked emails, he was shown discussing his support for Eugene's bid for the 2021 event with executives from the US multinational sportswear company.

The former two-time Olympics champion in 1500m beat pole vault legend Sergey Bubka in a close race to become IAAF president in August.

(With Agency inputs)