Sebastian Coe

Lord Sebastian Coe KBE – Olympian, London 2012 Chairmain and Inspirational Motivational Business Speaker.

Lord Sebastian Coe KBE is one of the greatest names of British sport.

Sebastian Coe began his running career at the age of 12 when he joined Sheffield’s Hallamshire Harriers. Between studies at Tapton and Abbeydale Grange Schools, Sebastian won county and schools championships at 3,000m, 1,500m and cross country.

In 1973, his father and coach Peter predicted that by 1980 his son would slice five seconds off the then 1500m world record. In fact Sebastian sensationally broke three world records, including the 1500m, in 1979 in just 41 days: the 800m and mile in Oslo and the 1500m in Zurich. This meant Sebastian was the first man in more than 50 years to set world records at both 800m and 1500m.

Sebastian Coe added the 1000m record to his list in Oslo, making him the holder of four world records simultaneously.

In 1980, Sebastian and his British rival Steve Ovett dominated middle distance events. At the Moscow Olympics, despite being predicted to win the 800m, Sebastian came second to Ovett, but bounced back to snatch gold in the 1500m, leaving Ovett coming third.

In 1981, Sebastian broke records again at 800m (Florence) 1000m (Oslo) and the mile (Zurich and Brussels) bringing his total to eight.

At the 1984 Olympics Sebastian set an Olympic record at 1500m and took silver in the 800m. And at the European Championships in 1986, Sebastian won gold in the 800m and silver in the 1500m.

Since his last race in September 1989, Sebastian Coe pursued a political career, becoming Conservative MP for Falmouth and Camborne in 1992, a Parliamentary Private Secretary in 1994. In 1997 he was appointed Private Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, William Hague MP.

Lord Coe has served as Vice Chairman of the Sports Council (1986-89), steward of the British Boxing Board of Control (1994-98) and a member of the Sport for All Commission and International Olympic Committee.

He has served as president of the Amateur Athletic Association, and has also served on various IOC committees and was elected on to the ruling council of the International Association of Athletics Federations. He is a worldwide ambassador for Nike and has established a string of health clubs with a membership of over 20,000.

In 2003, Lord Coe took on a new challenge and was appointed as one of three vice-chairmen for the 2012 Olympic Bid. In May 2004 Coe took over the reins from American businesswoman Barbara Cassani as Bid Chairman after London made the shortlist of five candidate cities.

On July 6th 2005, after two years of preparation and determination, Lord Coe’s bid sensationally won the right to host the 2012 Summer Olympics in London after beating rivals Paris in a showdown vote of the International Olympic Committee.

Sebastian Coe was awarded the OBE in 1991 and was appointed a Knight Commander of the British Empire in the 2006 New Year’s Honours.

Speaking:

Lord Coe highlights the way in which the successful Olympic bid was formulated, and gives an insight into how the race to host the Olympics, and the business skills required to achieve this success can be used to benefit growing companies and individuals.

Speaking topics include:

• Achievement
• Inspirational
• Leadership
• Sport & Business
• Success
• How London 2012 will effect UK businesses and sport.
• The Art of Winning
• Formulating the Perfect Team