Sebastian Coe visits India, discusses Olympics bid and Athletics growth

Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics and former Olympic champion, is visiting India for a series of informal meetings, including with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

The visit comes amid growing speculation about Coe’s campaign to succeed Thomas Bach as the next International Olympic Committee (IOC) President. India’s ongoing bid to host the 2036 Olympics was a key topic during Coe’s interactions.

"Met Lord Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics and IOC Member. Discussed our intent to host the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics and our vision for advancing athletics in India from grassroots development to achieving global excellence," Mandaviya posted on social media platform ‘X’.

Coe’s visit also highlights India's efforts to strengthen its presence in global athletics. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) plans to bid for the 2028 Junior World Championships.

AFI President Adille Sumariwalla received Coe at the Delhi airport earlier today. A source within the AFI described the meetings as "courtesy calls" but acknowledged their significance given India’s aspirations to host major international sporting events.

Following his meetings in Delhi, Coe will head to Mumbai for a commercial engagement with Tata Communications, recently announced as the host broadcaster for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in 2026. The championship will feature the world’s top athletes competing across 16 disciplines, with a prize pool of $10 million.

India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics has gained momentum, with the country recently submitting a letter of intent to the IOC. Coe, whose grandfather was of Indian origin, could play a pivotal role in bridging international support for India’s aspirations.