The Lord Coe | |
|---|---|
 Coe during the World Economic Forum inDavos, Switzerland, in 2012 | |
| President ofWorld Athletics | |
| Assumed office 19 August 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Lamine Diack |
| Chairman of theBritish Olympic Association | |
| In office 7 November 2012 – 24 November 2016 | |
| President | The Princess Royal |
| Preceded by | The Lord Moynihan |
| Succeeded by | Sir Hugh Robertson |
| Chairman of theLondon Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games | |
| In office 24 August 2008 – 12 August 2012 | |
| IOC President | Jacques Rogge |
| Preceded by | Liu Qi |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Arthur Nuzman |
| Chair of theLondon Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games | |
| In office 7 October 2005 – 30 May 2013 Chair of theLondon bid: 18 May 2004 – 7 October 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Barbara Cassani |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Chief of Staff to theLeader of the Opposition | |
| In office 19 June 1997 – 13 September 2001 | |
| Leader | William Hague |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Powell |
| Succeeded by | Jenny Ungless |
| Member of theHouse of Lords | |
Lord Temporal | |
| as alife peer 16 May 2000 – 31 January 2022 | |
| Member of Parliament forFalmouth and Camborne | |
| In office 9 April 1992 – 8 April 1997 | |
| Preceded by | David Mudd |
| Succeeded by | Candy Atherton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sebastian Newbold Coe (1956-09-29)29 September 1956 (age 69) Hammersmith, London, England |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent |
|
| Alma mater | Loughborough University |
| Sports career | |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)[1] |
| Weight | 119 lb (54 kg)[1] |
| Sport | Athletics/Track,Mid-distance running |
Event(s) | 800 metres,1500 metres,Mile |
| Team | Hallamshire Harriers, Sheffield Haringey AC, London |
| Sports achievements and titles | |
| Personalbests | |
Medal record | |
Sebastian Newbold Coe, Baron Coe,CH, KBE, Hon FRIBA (born 29 September 1956), often referred to asSeb Coe,[3][4] is a British sports administrator, former politician and retiredtrack and field athlete. As amiddle-distance runner, Coe won four Olympic medals, including1500 metres gold medals at theOlympic Games in1980 and1984. He set nine outdoor and three indoorworld records in middle-distance track events – including, in 1979, setting three world records in the space of 41 days – and the world record he set in the800 metres in 1981 remained unbroken until 1997. Coe's rivalries with fellow BritonsSteve Ovett andSteve Cram dominated middle-distance racing for much of the 1980s.[5]
Following Coe's retirement from athletics, he was aConservative member of parliament from 1992 to 1997 forFalmouth and Camborne in Cornwall, and became aLife Peer on 16 May 2000.
Coe headed the successfulLondon 2012 Olympic bid for the2012 Summer Olympics and became chairman of theLondon Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. In 2007, he was elected a vice-president of theInternational Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and re-elected for another four-year term in 2011.[6] In August 2015, he was elected president of the IAAF.[7]
In 2012, Coe was appointedPro-Chancellor ofLoughborough University where he had been an undergraduate. Subsequently, in 2017, he was appointed as Chancellor. He is also a member of Loughborough University's governing body. He was one of 24 athletes inducted as inaugural members of the IAAF Hall of Fame.[8] In November 2012, he was appointed chairman of theBritish Olympic Association. Coe was presented with the Lifetime Achievement award at theBBC Sports Personality of the Year in December 2012.[9]
At the2024 Millrose Games, Coe was awarded The Armory's Presidents Award.[10]
Coe was born on 29 September 1956 atQueen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Hammersmith, London.[11] His father wasathletics coachPeter Coe and his mother, Tina Angela Lal, was of halfIndian descent, born to aPunjabi father, Sardari Lal Malhotra, and an English/Irish mother, Vera (née Swan).[citation needed]
When he was less than a year old, Coe and his family moved toWarwickshire, where he later attended Bridgetown Primary School and Hugh Clopton Secondary School inStratford-upon-Avon.[12] The family then moved toSheffield where he attendedTapton School, asecondary modern school, atCrosspool which became acomprehensive school while he was there[13][14] andAbbeydale Grange School. He joinedHallamshire Harriers at the age of 12, and soon became a middle-distance specialist, having been inspired by David Jackson, a geography teacher at Tapton School who had been across-country runner. Coe was coached by his own father and representedLoughborough University and later Haringey AC, nowEnfield and Haringey Athletic Club when not competing for his country.[15]
Coe studied Economics and Social History at Loughborough University, where he met George Gandy, the university'sstrength and conditioning coach, whose already well-established exercises forLoughborough Students RUFC strengthened and conditioned Coe.[16] Coe won his first major race at the 1977 European indoor championships 800 metres inSan Sebastián, Spain.
His mother, Tina Angela Lal, died in London, in 2005, aged 75. His father,Peter Coe, died on 9 August 2008, aged 88, while Coe was visiting Beijing.[17]
Coe first caught the public's attention on 14 March 1977 when he competed in the 800 m at the European Indoor Championships in San Sebastián, front-running the entire race and winning in 1:46.54, just short of the world indoor record. He ran in the Emsley Carr mile on 29 August 1977, outsprintingFilbert Bayi of Tanzania in the home straight and winning in 3:57.7. Eleven days later, on 9 September 1977, he ran the 800 m at the Coca-Cola Games at Crystal Palace in a time of 1:44.95, beatingAndy Carter's 1:45.12 to claim his first UK national outdoor record.[citation needed]
Coe's 1978 season continued to show his progression in the middle distances, though he raced only sparingly, as in early June he had suffered a serious ankle injury whilst out on a training run. On 18 August 1978, he ran the 800 m at the Ivo Van Damme Memorial meeting in Brussels, where he far outclassed the field and stormed home in a time of 1:44.25,[18] another UK national record.[citation needed]
He first ran against his great rivalSteve Ovett in a schoolscross country race in 1972.[19] Neither won, nor did either win in their first major encounter, on 31 August 1978, in the 800 m at theEuropean Championships inPrague. Ovett took second, breaking Coe's UK record with a time of 1:44.09, and Coe finished third; the race was won by the East GermanOlaf Beyer. According to Pat Butcher,[20] Coe's father and coachPeter Coe had encouraged him to run as fast as he could from the start. The early pace was indeed exceptionally fast: Coe ran 200 m in 24.3, 400 m in 49.32, and 600 m in 1:16.2; he then slowed and finished third in 1:44.76. A few weeks later, Coe reclaimed the UK record at Crystal Palace, setting an all-comers' mark of 1:43.97[21] which ranked him second in the world that year. On 1 October 1978, Coe displayed to the world for the first time his phenomenal natural endurance by winning the Loughrea 4-Mile road race in Ireland in 17:54, defeating the likes of Eamonn Coghlan (who would win the 5000 m at the 1983 World Championships) and Mike McLeod (who would be the 1984 Olympic 10,000 m silver medalist), and breaking Brendan Foster's course record of 18:05.[22] All this off a season which had been focussed on 800 m, with only one race at 1500 m or the mile. This was a warning to the world's top milers of what was to happen the following summer.[citation needed]
The next year, 1979, Coe set three world records in 41 days. He set the first two inOslo, Norway, at 800 m (1:42.33) and the mile (3:48.95), then broke the world 1500 m record with his 3:32.03 inZurich, Switzerland, becoming the first person to hold these three records at the same time.[19] He easily won the 800 m at the European Cup in Turin in August, covering the last 200 m in 24.1, and anchored the British 4 × 400 m relay team with the quartet's fastest split, 45.5. He was voted Athlete of the Year byAthletics Weekly andTrack and Field News and was ranked number one in the world at 800 m and 1500 m; no other athlete since has ranked number one at these distances in the same year.[citation needed]
In 1980, Coe brokeRick Wohlhuter's world record for 1000 m with a time of 2:13.40. He held all four middle-distance world records—the 800 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, and mile—simultaneously (another unique feat) for one hour until Ovett broke his mile record. In the1980 Olympics in Moscow, Ovett and Coe each won the other's speciality: Ovett the 800 m and Coe the 1500 m. Coe took second in the 800 m after running what he described as "the worst tactical race of my life", while Ovett took third in the 1500.[19] It was Ovett's first defeat at one mile or 1500 m in three years and 45 races. Coe covered the last 400 m in 52.2 and the last 100 m in 12.1 seconds, the fastest-ever finish in a championship final at this distance.[23][24]
Coe began 1981 with an indoor world record of 1:46.0 for 800 m at Cosford in February. On 10 June, he set a world 800 m record inFlorence; his 1:41.73 remained unbeaten until August 1997. As of 2025, his time still stands as theUK record and puts him in a tie withNijel Amos for theeighth fastest man ever at the distance (Only bettered byDavid Rudisha,Wilson Kipketer,Djamel Sedjati,Emmanuel Wanyonyi,Marco Arop,Gabriel Tual, andBryce Hoppel[25]). A month afterwards he set another world record with 2:12.18 for 1000 m, which was to last 19 years and to this day (2025) has only been bettered once. At this time, Coe was more than 1.7 seconds (about 14m) faster than anyone in history at both distances. Between these two record-breaking runs he won the Europa Cup 800 m semifinal, running the last 100 m in 11.3 (the fastest final 100 m ever recorded in a major international race), and achieved a personal best of 3:31.95 at 1500 m, despite dreadful pacemaking (he went through 400 m in 52.4 and 800 m in 1:49.1,[26] the fastest start ever in an international 1500 m race at the time) by US 800 m runnerJames Robinson, who passed 400 m in 51.5. In August, Coe won the gold medal over 800 m at the European Cup final with a blistering last 200 m in 24.6 and last 100 m in 11.9. He then bettered the standard for the mile twice, first with 3:48.53 inZürich and then with 3:47.33 inBrussels, on either side of Ovett's world record in Koblenz (3:48.40).[27] His 3:47.33 remained on the all-time top-10 list until 31 May 2014.[citation needed]
Coe ended the season with gold over 800 m at the World Cup in Rome in September with 1:46.16 (and a 12.0 last 100 m[28]), and remained undefeated at both 1500 m/mile and 800 m for the entire season, as he had in 1979.Track & Field News andAthletics Weekly magazines voted Coe Athlete of the Year, an honour he had also won in 1979. Although he had a short season in 1982 because of injuries in June and July, Coe still managed to rank number one in the world in the 800 m and to participate in a world-record 4 × 800 m relay. Coe,Peter Elliott,Garry Cook andSteve Cram ran a time of 7:03.89, which would remain the world record for 24 years. Coe's leg was the fastest of the day, a solo 1:44.01. Heavily favoured for the 800 m at the1982 European Championships in Athletics in Athens, he unexpectedly finished second; the next day British team doctors revealed that he had been suffering from glandular fever. Coe decided to withdraw from the 1500 metres in those championships.[20]
Coe began 1983 with world indoor records at 800 m inCosford, England (1:44.91, breaking his own 1:46.0 from 1981) and 1000 m (2:18.58) inOslo, but he spent much of that year battling health problems, including a prolonged bout withtoxoplasmosis.[19] He missed the inauguralIAAF World Championships in Athletics.[29] The disease was severe, and he spent several months in and out of hospital. He returned to competition in 1984 and was selected at 800 m and 1500 m for the1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, despite having been narrowly beaten by Peter Elliott in the AAA Championships. In the 800 m he took silver behindJoaquim Cruz of Brazil, but in the 1500 m final—his seventh race in nine days—he took the gold in an Olympic record of 3:32.53. He ran the last 800 m of the race in 1:49.8, the last lap in 53.2, and the last 100 m in 12.7. He remains the only man to win successive Olympic 1500 m titles.[citation needed]
Coe had planned to have a somewhat quiet season in 1985, partly because of the intensity of the previous year's efforts to get himself ready in time for the Olympics, as well as a planned move up to 5000 m, which never materialised. He suffered a recurrence of a back problem which had plagued him on and off since 1980; this caused him to miss several weeks of midseason training. He nevertheless managed to run some fast times towards the end of the season, but he lost his mile world record to Cram, who beat him in Oslo. In 1986, Coe won the 800 m gold medal at the European Championships in Stuttgart, beatingTom McKean and Cram[30] with a stunning last 200 m of 24.8 and 100 m of 12.4. It was his only 800 m title at an international championship. He took the silver in the 1500 m behind Cram, the mile world record holder proving too strong in the homestretch. He then ran his personal best over 1500 m with a 3:29.77 performance inRieti, Italy, becoming the fourth man in history to break 3:30 at the distance. For the fourth year in his career (1979, 1981, 1982 & 1986), he was ranked No. 1 in the world at 800 m, and he was in the top two for 1500 m for the fifth time.[citation needed]
Coe sustained a foot injury in 1987[31] after winning an 800 m and running a 4 × 400 m leg for his club, Haringey, and was out for the entire season. The following year he was not selected for the British1988 Olympic Games team after he failed to advance from the heats of the 1500 m at the Trials inBirmingham. He had shown good early season form, but he picked up a chest infection after a spell of altitude training. TheDaily Mirror ran a campaign and the president of theInternational Olympic Committee,Juan Antonio Samaranch, unsuccessfully tried to have the rules changed in Coe's favour. It was said that India was willing to include him on its national team on account of his mother's Indian heritage.[32]
Coe had a final good season in 1989, when, in his 33rd year (at age 32), he won the AAA 1500 m title, was ranked British number one for both 800 m and 1500 m, ran the world's second-fastest 800 m of the year (1:43.38), and took the silver medal at the World Cup over 1500 m. He retired from competitive athletics in early 1990, after having to bow out of the1990 Commonwealth Games inAuckland, New Zealand with yet another chest infection. He ended his career having run sub-1:44 for 800 m in eight different years.[citation needed]
A scene in the 1981 filmChariots of Fire recreates a race in which competitors attempt to run round the perimeter of theGreat Court atTrinity College, Cambridge in the time it takes the clock to double-strike the hour at midday or midnight. Many have tried to run the 367 metres (401 yards) around the court in the 43.6 seconds that it takes to strike 12 o'clock. Known as theGreat Court Run, students traditionally attempt to complete the circuit on the evening of thematriculation dinner. The only persons recognised to have actually completed the run in time areDavid Cecil in 1927 and Sam Dobin in 2007. It was thought that Coe had succeeded when he beat Steve Cram in a charity race in October 1988 in a time of 42.53 seconds. A video of the race, however, apparently shows that Coe was 12 metres short of the finish line when the last chime sounded, so Trinity College never officially accepted his time.[citation needed]
Coe was elected as Member of Parliament forFalmouth and Camborne in1992, for theConservative Party,[5][33] but lost his seat in the1997 general election. He returned to politics for a short time as Leader of the OppositionWilliam Hague's chief of staff, having accepted the offer of aLife Peerage on 16 May 2000.[34]
Coe served as a Chairman of the London 2012 Bid Committee, and also as a Chairman of theLondon Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. Throughout and following the bidding process, some critics accused Coe of compromising the integrity of London's 2012 bid through aggressive tactics and alleged backroom deals. They argued that his forceful lobbying overshadowed the need for transparency and accountability, suggesting his drive to win came at the cost of ethical standards.[35]
Coe's election asInternational Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President was marked by allegations of his ties to Papa Massata Diack, the son of former IAAF PresidentLamine Diack, who was at the center of a corruption, extortion and doping scandal, and was sentenced to prison as a result. Text messages indicated that Diack Jr. played a role in securing votes for Coe, providing insider information and support during the election. Diack Jr. said Coe would not have become IAAF president without his help. Coe distanced himself from the Diack family following his election.[36]
Coe has faced criticism for his stance on Russian and Belarusian athletes in the aftermath of theRussian doping scandal and the state'sinvasion of Ukraine. DefendingWorld Athletics' ban, Coe emphasized that he could not remain neutral in the matter. This position has been challenged by Russian officials, includingRussian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, who accused Coe of pursuing a "Russophobic" agenda. World Athletics rejected theInternational Olympic Committee’s recommendations for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competitions as individual neutrals under certain conditions.[37][38][39]
Conversely, Coe faced allegations of misleading a UK parliamentary committee regarding the timing and extent to which he was aware of the doping and corruption issues within theIAAF. Evidence showed that Coe received an email detailing the corruption and extortion claims months before a German television documentary exposed the scandal.[40] He was also accused of blocking the release of a report from theUniversity of Tübingen with the extent of doping.[41]
In May 2024 World Athletics announced it would become the first sport to offer $50,000 in prize money for its Olympic champions. The announcement was met with criticism from several IOC members, and leaders of other international sports federations, which accused Coe of failing to consult them prior to the move. In May 2024, then-IOC PresidentThomas Bach suggested that instead of offering prize money for Olympic gold medalists in Paris,World Athletics should focus its funding on supporting athletes at the other end of the spectrum.[42][43][44]
When London announced its bid to hold the 2012 Olympics, Coe became an ambassador for the effort and a member of the board of the bid company. With the May 2004 resignation of chairmanBarbara Cassani, Coe became the chairman for the latter phase of the bid. As Coe was a well-known personality in Olympic sport, it was felt he was better suited to the diplomatic finesse needed to secure the IOC's backing. Coe's presentation at the critical IOC meeting in July 2005 was viewed by commentators as being particularly effective, against tough competition from Paris and Madrid, and the London bid won the IOC's blessing on 6 July.[45]
Coe attended the2010 Winter Olympics held inVancouver to see how the city coped with the challenges of hosting. Lord Coe noted the Games had "gradually recovered from its tumultuous start" and queried that he "never thought the British would find rivals in their preoccupation with the weather which is almost elevated to an Olympic event" as he creditedVANOC for meeting unforeseen challenges such as the unseasonably warm weather of Cypress Mountain. Coe added "Rarely have I seen a host city so passionate and so ready to embrace the Games".[46][47]
Coe was instrumental in askingQueen Elizabeth II to star inHappy and Glorious, a short film featuringJames Bond, which formed part of the2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. The director of the ceremony,Danny Boyle first pitched the idea to Coe, who loved it so much that he took it toEdward Young, Deputy Private Secretary to the Queen. A friend of Coe's from their days of advising William Hague, Young "listened sagely, laughed, and promised to ask the Boss". Coe was subsequently informed that she would love to take part.[citation needed]
Coe was appointed the first chairman ofFIFA's independent watchdog, theFIFA Ethics Committee. The commission will judge all cases alleging conflicts of interest and breaches of FIFA rules.[48] FIFA presidentSepp Blatter made the announcement in Zurich on 15 September 2006 and said: "It is perhaps a surprise but it has been very well received. We have found an outstanding personality in the world of sport, a great personality in the Olympic movement." His appointment makes him one of the most senior Englishmen to work for FIFA.[49]
He stood down from this post to join theEnglish committee that failed to bring the2018 World Cup to England, with Russia chosen to host instead.[50][51]
In 2007 Coe was appointed as vice President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and was reappointed in 2011. WhenLamine Diack president of the IAAF announced that he was standing down in 2013 seemed likely to announce Coe as his successor as there had never been an election for the President position.[52] Coe, in November 2014 announced that he would stand for election for this position in 2015.[53] In December 2014, Coe unveiled his manifesto, 'Growing Athletics in a New Age.'[54][55] On 19 August 2015, in Beijing, he was elected president of IAAF againstSergey Bubka, by 115 votes to 92 votes.[7][56][57] On 17 August 2023, in Budapest, he was re-elected unopposed for a third and final term of office as President.[58]
Following the London Olympics, Coe was appointed as Chairman of theBritish Olympic Association, replacingLord Moynihan.[59][60]
Coe was appointed a member of theTokyo 2020 Olympic Games Coordination Commission[61] representing theAssociation of National Olympic Committees.
On 17 July 2020, Coe was elected a member of theInternational Olympic Committee.[62] In September 2024, he was announced as one of seven candidates in the running to succeedThomas Bach as IOC president.[63][64] He received eight votes at the144th IOC Session in March 2025, withKirsty Coventry winning the election.[65]
Coe is set to become a sports advisor to theGEMS School of Research and Innovation from August 2025.[66]
After graduating in 1980, and a few months after his exploits on the track in the 1980–81 seasons, Coe got a job as a research assistant at the Loughborough University of Technology in the department of Physical Education and Sports Science. At this time he shared a semi-detached home with his close friend Steve Mitchell.[citation needed]
In 1990, when resident inSurrey, Coe married Nicky McIrvine, a formerBadminton three-day-event champion, with whom he has two sons and two daughters.[67] The marriage ended in divorce in 2002 after twelve years.[68]
In 2003, Coe began a relationship with Carole Annett; the couple wed in 2011. She is the daughter of former England cricket captainM. J. K. Smith.[69]
Coe is a worldwide ambassador forNike and owns a string of health clubs with a membership of more than 20,000. He is a member of theEast India Club, a privategentlemen's club inSt James's Square. He has supported London athletic events such as the London 10K of Nike and the British 10K charity race. On 12 February 2010, Coe was the 19th runner on the 106th day of the Vancouver Olympic Torch Relay. Coe's leg was along theStanley Park Seawall.[70]
In October 2012, Coe was appointed chairman ofChime Communications sports marketing subsidiary, CSM Sport and Entertainment.[71] The company also entered into an 'option agreement' to buy Coe's 93% interest in CLG, the firm which acts as a vehicle for his earnings from speeches and appearances.[72]
Coe appeared in an episode of the BBC TV seriesWho Do You Think You Are?, which showed that he is descended fromJohn Astley, the portrait painter, Jamaican sugar farmers and slave owners,George Clarke,Lieutenant Governor ofNew York Colony, and Edward Hyde ofNorbury.[73]
Coe retired from theHouse of Lords on 31 January 2022.[74]
He is a columnist forThe Daily Telegraph.[75]
Coe was made an Honorary Doctor of Technology (Hon DTech) by his alma mater,Loughborough University in 1985. In November 2009, he was awarded an honorary degree asDoctor of Science (Hon DSc) from theUniversity of East London.[76] In 2009, he also was awarded anHonorary Fellow of theRoyal Institute of British Architects.[77] He also received an honorary Doctorate of Letters from theUniversity of Sunderland in 2011.[78]
He was appointedMember of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the1982 New Year Honours andOfficer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the1990 New Year Honours. On 16 May 2000, he was created aLife Peer asBaron Coe,ofRanmore in the County of Surrey.[79] He was appointedKnight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 2006 New Year Honours for services to sport.[45] In the2013 New Year Honours, Coe was appointed Member of theOrder of the Companions of Honour (CH) for services to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.[80][81] He represented the Order at the2023 Coronation.[82]
He was presented with the firstPrince of Asturias Award (Sports category) in 1987. After his work in delivering London 2012 Coe was presented with anOlympic Order.[83] Coe received another lifetime achievement award at the Laureus World Sport Awards.[84]
Coe has also received three separate awards at theBBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony: Themain individual award in 1979, a "Special Gold Award" in 2005 and the "Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2012.
A building at the Nike world headquarters in Beaverton Oregon was named after Sebastian Coe in 2017. Coe is a longtime Nike athlete and was recognised by Nike as a great middle-distance runner. The 'Nike Sebastian Coe building' was designed to emphasise connectivity.[85]
Coe was included inThe Sunday Times' "100 Makers of the 21st Century" list.[86][87] In 2018 he was recognised as aTourism Australia's Friend of Australia, in conjunction with the2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.[88] In addition in 2018 Coe was awarded an OLY post nominal title fromWorld Olympians Association.[89]
At the2024 Millrose Games, Coe was the recipient of The Armory's Presidents Award.[10]
| Distance | Mark | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 m | 46.87 | 14 July 1979 | AAA Championships, London (Crystal Palace), UK |
| 4 × 400 m relay | 45.5 | 5 August 1979 | European Cup, Turin, ITA |
| 600 m | 1:15.0 | 10 June 1981 | Florence, ITA |
| 800 m | 1:41.73 (WR) | 10 June 1981 | Florence, ITA |
| 1000 m | 2:12.18 (WR) | 11 July 1981 | Oslo, NOR |
| 1500 m | 3:29.77 | 7 September 1986 | Rieti, ITA |
| Mile | 3:47.33 (WR) | 28 August 1981 | Brussels, BEL |
| 2000 m | 4:58.84 | 5 June 1982 | Bordeaux, FRA |
| 3000 m | 7:54.32 | 23 April 1986 | Cosford, UK |
| 5000 m | 14:06.2 | 11 May 1980 | Cudworth, UK |
(WR) indicates personal best which was also a World Record when set.[90]
