Lamine Diack of Senegal has held the position since November 1999 following the sudden death of Primo Nebiolo and is set to stand for re-election later this year in Daegu, South Korea.

However, Coe and pole vault legend Sergey Bubka of the Ukraine, who both currently serve as vice-presidents, are widely considered the two most likely candidates to succeed Diack to the most powerful position in world athletics when he does decide to step down.

But while Lewis admitted he would love it to be the London 2012 chairman, he is worried the move may make "too much sense".

"I think Seb Coe would be great as the head of world athletics, but those people in charge at the IAAF - don't me started on them," Lewis told insidethegames at a ceremony at City Hall to celebrate the 500 days countdown of London 2012, an event also attended by former Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci, winner of nine Olympic medals, including five gold.

"When you have an organisation where Great Britain and the United States have the same clout as Fiji, as you do with the IAAF, you have issues.

"So there is a big problem there.

"But I think Seb would be tremendous in the main role and really help clear things up there.

"As a matter of fact, Seb would be so good as IAAF President, it will probably never happen because it just makes too much sense."


Lewis, who won nine Olympic gold medals across four Olympic Games and was voted "Sportsman of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), added that Coe has proved he is fully capable of becoming IAAF President after leading the London 2012 Organising Committee so capably.

"Seb has done a tremendous job at London 2012 because there has been no major drama," he said.

"As an athlete, you just don't want to hear anything bad.

"If you don't hear anything bad, you are happy as an athlete and you know that you are doing a fantastic job as an Organising Committee, so huge credit must go to Seb for that and it really shows how great his credentials are."

Lewis added he would have loved to have competed at the London 2012 Olympic Games as he believes it will be one of the best ever.

"I must admit that while a home Games is great, it is a special feeling to travel abroad to an Olympics, particularly to a city like London.

"It is so easily accessible, particularly to athletes from the USA, and the time difference works well for people in the States too.

"I remember when I was in Seoul in 1988, I heard that people back home had to get up at 3am watch me live in the long jump, so London is great for the USA athletes and I would love to have taken part.

"I think it could be one of the best Olympic Games of all time."

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February 2011: Exclusive: Coe can become the next IAAF President - but so can others, says Diack
November 2010: Tom Degun - Bubka versus Coe looks set to be a true battle of the titans
May 2010: Exclusive - Support growing for Coe to stand as Diack denies financial crisis
May 2010: Coe IAAF Presidental hopes hit by Diack decision to stand again
August 2009: Coe and Bubka Presidential hopes could be dashed by Diack