World governing body announces candidates for August’s IAAF elections, with Sebastian Coe and Sergey Bubka also confirmed as the only candidates for the role of president

Paula Radcliffe could influence the future of cross-country running on a global level as the two-time senior world cross-country champion and world marathon record-holder has been named among the candidates for a spot on the IAAF Cross Country Committee.

The 41-year-old, who is already on the Athletes Commission, told AW earlier this month at a Morrisons Great Newham London Run event of her intention to put herself forward for more IAAF commissions. Her fellow Briton David Bedford, who forms part of the current cross-country committee, is not seeking re-election.

Radcliffe drew the curtain on her magnificent marathon career at the London Marathon in April and when discussing the areas in which she could see herself working in the future, she told AW: “Perhaps a bit more involvement with kids and maybe some more involvement on a federation level, whether it s through anti-doping or something else.

“Certainly supporting Sebastian Coe in his bid for IAAF presidency. I really want to see him get in.

“I ve put myself forward for more IAAF commissions,” she added. “I m already on the Athletes Commission but maybe now Dave Bedford has taken a step back on cross-country I can put myself forward there as well.

“It s just having more time to be able to commit to doing things like that.”

As expected, Coe and Sergey Bubka have been confirmed as the only two candidates seeking to replace Lamine Diack as IAAF president.

However Bubka, the Ukrainian pole vault great, is also listed among the seven candidates for vice presidency, while middle-distance running great Coe, who is currently a vice president along with Bubka, is not.

Ireland’s Sonia O’Sullivan, the double 1998 world cross-country champion and 1995 world 5000m champion, is among the candidates seeking a spot on the IAAF Council, while Britain’s 2004 Olympic and 2007 world heptathlon bronze medallist Kelly Sotherton is among the candidates for a place on the IAAF Women’s Committee.

Keith Davies, whose officiating has seen him involved in events including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, World and European Championships, is listed among the nominees for the IAAF Technical Committee, while 1972 Olympic race walker Peter Marlow seeks re-election on the IAAF Race Walking Committee.

IAAF elections are set to take place on the first day of the 50th IAAF Congress in Beijing held ahead of the IAAF World Championships in August.

The full list of candidates for this year’s IAAF elections can be downloaded here

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