IAAF President, Sebastian Coe, does not want to face up to possible protests during the World Athletics Championships (27 September to 6 October) in Qatar. The former 800-meter world record holder sees himself "not in the mood to silence voices," he told the BBC.
Protests by athletes and spectators could, among other things, be directed against the prohibition of homosexuality in the Arab country. Freedom of expression is not guaranteed there, moreover, the country is due to the exploitation of guest workers in the criticism.
"We are a sport based on being deeply discriminatory," said the IAAF President. "There is a time and a place to express opinions clearly.
"Sport pushes things positively"
But Coe also defended Doha's choice as a venue, which had been made under his predecessor Lamine Diack. "I've never seen a situation where sports entering a new territory did not push things socially, culturally and politically in a positive way," said the 62-year-old.
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