ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that, under Primo Nebiolo’s leadership, athletes’ needs mattered little in policy matters. Whereas external and internal pressure eventually led to changes in the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF’s) approach towards athletes in general, the inclusion of women on- and off-the-track, and doping questions, the federation’s reactions do not appear to have been driven by a deep understanding of the causes of those issues. Nebiolo appeared willing to compromise so long as it benefited him personally, protected the federation’s sponsors, or portrayed him and the federation in a positive light, which had significant consequences for the sporting participants. The president-centred structures and the ability to ignore, or overrule, expert opinions allowed Nebiolo to take full control of the athletes’ experiences. This chapter highlights that athletes’ dreams, passions, and talents were used to build the IAAF brand, but the participants themselves were provided with little else than a stage to demonstrate their talents.
