World Athletics Reports Corporate Theft Exceeding €1.5 Million by Staff

World Athletics (WA), the international governing body for track and field, announced on October 30, 2025, that it had been the victim of systematic corporate theft exceeding €1.5 million. The organization, headquartered in Monaco, stated that the financial fraud was carried out over several years by three individuals associated with the federation.

WA President Sebastian Coe confirmed that the organization had handed over detailed case information to judicial and legal authorities for a criminal investigation. The discovery of the theft has shaken the athletics world, prompting WA to emphasize its commitment to transparency and legal recourse.

The theft was reportedly uncovered earlier this year during the first annual audit conducted under a new financial leadership team. According to the federation, the funds were misappropriated through the use of falsified or altered expense reports. The systematic nature of the fraud allowed the scheme to continue undetected for a period of years.

The organization confirmed that three individuals were involved in the scheme: two employees and one contracted consultant. The total amount stolen surpassed one and a half million euros, according to the federation's internal findings.

World Athletics confirmed that immediate action was taken following the discovery of the illicit activity. Two of the individuals involved were still employed by the organization when the fraud was identified, and their contracts were subsequently terminated following an internal investigation. The third individual, identified as a contracted consultant, had already left their position prior to the discovery of the theft. The organization emphasized that it was cooperating fully with law enforcement and judicial authorities to ensure a thorough criminal investigation.

President Coe issued a strong statement regarding the federation's commitment to accountability and recovery of the stolen assets. "We will use the full force of the law to recover whatever monies we are able," Coe stated.

He added that WA was determined not to conceal the incident, noting that many organizations often handle such matters quietly. Coe stressed that WA's public disclosure and legal pursuit were intended to prevent the perpetrators from continuing their fraudulent activities elsewhere. The public and judicial denouncement by WA follows the findings of the internal audit, which flagged suspicious activity that had occurred over multiple years. The organization is committed to maintaining financial integrity and ensuring the recovery of the stolen funds.