IAAF President Sebastian Coe has been having private talks with Athletics Australia about the "possibility of bringing the world championships Down Under," according to Julian Linden of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Track and field's showcase event has never been held in the southern hemisphere but Athletics Australia has "found a strong supporter in Coe." The world athletics head knows Australia's "proven record in staging big sports events and wants to take the championships there." He said that the Sydney 2000 Olympics were "jaw-dropping" and added that he was "just as smitten" with this year's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, so he agreed to meet with Athletics Australia President Mark Arbib to "discuss a future bid" on the sidelines of the IOC congress in Argentina. Arbib: "It's no secret that IAAF President Seb Coe has great affection for Australia and would like to see us host events in the future if we can make a strong case." Frustrated at "seeing some events taking place in empty stadiums," Coe said that he wants countries that will "embrace different competitions and knows Australia ticks all the boxes, as long the costs are kept down." Coe: "We're acutely aware that in the management of events that cities actually have more skin in the game and we recognize the financial pressures that are on the public purse, particularly in liberal democracies where local politicians do have to account for every cent and taxpayers are far more demanding than they've ever been" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 10/9).
