The man who successfully delivered the London 2012 Olympic Games yesterday launched his bid for the presidency of world athletics’ governing body, one of the most powerful jobs in global sport.

Double Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe confirmed he would run for the top job at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), when Senegalese Lamine Diack steps down in 2015.

Coe has been an IAAF vice-president since 2007, and will unveil an election manifesto and a vision for the sport in the coming weeks.

“I want us to have a renewed focus on engagement with young people and a real understanding of the global landscape that is shaping the next generation of athletes and fans,” the 58-year-old Briton said.

“If we are guided by these principles as we review and reform our sport then I am convinced that athletics can enter a new era with confidence and ensure a bright and exciting future.”

Having headed the successful London bid to host the 2012 Summer Games, and chairing the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) that oversaw the global sporting gathering, it comes as no surprise that former Member of Parliament Coe has switched his ambitions to his first love.

Coe is likely to face opposition for the presidency from Ukrainian former pole vault champion Sergey Bubka.

A fellow IAAF vice-president, Bubka’s reputation took something of a hit last year, however, when he finished bottom of the final round of voting to select a new International Olympic Committee president.