Lord Coe reign has been tainted by Nike tie, claims Toni Minichiello
'This is getting really messy and my advice would be for him to just walk away from it'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sebastian Coe’s presidency of the International Association of Athletics Federations will forever be tainted by his failure to sever ties with Nike, according to the coach of Olympic and world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Toni Minichiello has called on Coe to stop taking his annual salary of £100,000 as a Nike ambassador in the wake of an email exchange with company officials which heightened accusations of a conflict of interest as IAAF president.
“This is getting really messy and my advice would be for him to just walk away from it,” Minichiello told The Independent. “Immaterial of what he does now I think it will always taint his presidency. There will always be that black mark.”
Coe has insisted there is no conflict between the Nike money and his unpaid role as IAAF president. But pressure is building on the former middle-distance champion after an email was uncovered by the BBC from Nike executive Craig Masback to Vin Lananna, bid leader of Eugene 2021. The US city was awarded the 2021 World Championships without a bidding process and in spite of interest also from Gothenburg in hosting it.
In the email, Masback wrote: “I spoke with Seb this morning. We covered several topics but I asked specifically about 2021. He made clear his support for 2021 in Eugene but made equally clear that he had reached out to [then IAAF president Lamine] Diack specifically on this topic.”
Coe has denied doing any lobbying on behalf of Eugene and insists he is not guilty of any wrongdoing. Despite that, Minichiello said the Nike relationship must end and also called on Coe to pay back the £63,000 he was given by UK Sport towards his presidential campaign. “He’s a millionaire so this is small potatoes,” said Minichiello. “Considering the amount of distress and anxiety it’s causing, why the hell does he not let go?
“As for the UK Sport money, that’s taxpayers’ money. That £63,000 could be used to help 1,000 British athletes even in a minor way. I would hope that he would donate £63,000 to Unicef or something because frankly that’s ridiculous.”
Coe had suggested during his presidential campaign that his Nike contract could potentially be a conflict of interest but, since being elected, has said that is not the case. Minichiello does not expect him to end the Nike deal. “First and foremost he’s a competitor,” added Minichiello. “Athletes don’t like to lose – it’s simply not in his DNA. And stepping away from that would be like him admitting defeat.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments