Ahead of Olympics, India keen to host U20 World Athletics Championship in 2028

The Indian Athletics Federation has submitted a letter of intent to host the 2028 Under-20 World Athletics Championships, Sebastian Coe, head of the sport's world governing body, told PTI on Wednesday. World Athletics (WA) had invited bids for the 2028 and 2030 editions of the championships in August this year and Coe said he was glad India had joined the process. “I am pleased to say that I am taking home a declaration of intent, application form, to be included in the bid discussions for the 2028 U-20 World Championship,” Coe revealed.

“So, look, it is moving in the right direction (for India),” said the great former middle distance runner, who has already met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya after reaching here.

He is currently in Mumbai and held meetings with representatives of Tata Communications, the broadcast rights holder for the first World Athletics Ultimate Championships for top-ranked athletes to be held in 2026.

Coe, who is a contender for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee during elections next year, said if he is elected to the top post, athletes will be at the center of every policy made by the global body.

“I'm working on a manifesto at the moment. And that manifesto will really reflect the views of all my colleagues, people I've spoken to and many of the key stakeholders across the Olympic landscape.” He said.

Stakeholders consulted by COE include National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and international federations, commercial partners, broadcasters and athletes.

“Athletes sit at the center of the project,” he said.

Coe said one of the most important issues facing athletes was mental health and he was eager to make a change.

“We have athletes who are absolutely demanding, demanding more on issues like welfare and mental health. All of these things are important.

“So, for me, it is about enabling all those different stakeholders, especially the membership, to get into a position that will ultimately help create the landscape where the challenges will be addressed and the opportunities will be leveraged ” One of the most controversial issues facing the IOC is the participation of transgender athletes in women's sporting events. The organization has been criticized for allowing this to happen.

Under Coe, WA has maintained a strictly female stance, a decision criticized by trans-rights advocates. Coe indicated that despite his current position, he was someone who believed in “consensus”.

“…I build teams and we work on consensus. There's no one size fits all, but I think in the particular space you're talking about, it's clear to the IOC It is essential to set policies and framework which helps international federations in taking decisions.

“But you have to have a clear and unambiguous policy.”