World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has set ambitious targets for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, describing the event as both a personal milestone and a strategic priority for global sports development. Speaking exclusively to CGTN during the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Coe revealed his vision for what could become one of the most attended championships in history.
"I started in the Bird's Nest and I finish in the Bird's Nest," Coe reflected, referencing Beijing's National Stadium where he began his presidency during the 2015 championships. The 2027 event will mark his final leadership role before stepping down.
The athletics chief emphasized attendance as his top priority: "The most important expectation is we must have a full stadium. China is very capable of doing that." This confidence stems from China's recent track record, having successfully hosted the World Relays in Guangzhou and World Indoor Championships in Nanjing.
Coe positioned China as a "massively important market" for athletics, citing substantial investments in sports infrastructure including high-performance training centers. "There's a strategic imperative here," he noted, praising the Chinese mainland's commitment to developing sprint disciplines and youth programs.
With three years remaining until the championships, preparations are already generating excitement among athletes. Coe revealed: "They're really excited about being back in China. We will have the best of the best in Beijing." The event is expected to showcase technological innovations in stadium operations and broadcast coverage, building on lessons from previous international competitions.
As Asia continues to cement its status as a global sports hub, the 2027 championships may set new benchmarks for both athletic performance and spectator engagement in the region.
