TEHRAN – President of World Athletics (WA) Sebastian Coe says that he is pleased with Iranian women's improvement in athletics.
In a webinar held on Thursday, Sir Sebastian Coe - President of World Athletics - and Hashem Siami, president of Iran Athletics Federation, discussed various issues pertinent to the first sport of the Olympics Athletics in Iran. At the beginning of the meeting, Siami congratulated Coe on the New Year, wishing him success and the best of luck in the future. “Geographically, our country has so many upsides and potentials; namely, athletes in the North, Center and South, who are talented in throwing, middle distance running and sprints and yet to be discovered. For this purpose, we have set up a zonal talent identification project,” Siami said. Coe lauded the Iranian federation in terms of what it has been done in promoting the Athletics. “Our priority is to use the power and accessibility of athletics and our athletes to create a healthier and fitter world which is called Strategic Plan. The main objective is to cultivate a new generation who can shine in the athletics. Our strategic plan is based on training the athletes and I found out that Iran is working well in this regard,” Lord Coe said. “You take a big step forward in promulgation of the athletics and intend to attract more people to promote the sport for the Olympics. I am confident that with the right planning and existing potentials, Athletics can become the most popular sport in Iran,” Coe stated. “We will do our best to help the countries facing financial crises due to sanctions. We also would like to help Iran by supplying the equipment, despite the problems caused by the sanctions,” he added. Emphasizing that gender equality is a key to success to women’s progress, Coe said, “We are very happy to see Iran paves the way for the country’s women to develop, and we will help the countries to provide the situation for their women to improve.” At the end of the session, Siami invited Coe officially to visit Iran and see the country’s attractions, capabilities in the athletics, and the WA President promised that he will visit Iran as soon as the pandemic gets annihilated.