Lord Sebastian Coe was confirmed Wednesday as a non-executive director of England's bid to stage the 2018 soccer World Cup.

Coe led London's successful bid to stage the 2012 Olympic Games and is currently the chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), a position he will continue to hold.

Coe, one of Britain's greatest athletes and now a leading figure in international sports administration, will continue as vice-president of the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) but will step down temporarily from his role as chairman of world soccer governing body FIFA's ethics committee.

"I look forward to playing my part in our bid for the FIFA World Cup," said Coe, the Olympic 1,500 meters champion at both the 1980 and 1984 Games.

"I am passionate about football so am delighted to be standing alongside many other people and football greats up and down the country in bidding for this event.

"Winning the Football World Cup would be the hat trick in a golden era for sport in the UK following the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014," he added.

"I will continue my roles as chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and vice-president of the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) but will be taking a temporary leave of absence from my position as chairman of FIFA's ethics committee.

"I would like to thank FIFA President Mr (Sepp) Blatter for agreeing to this arrangement."

England 2018 chairman Lord David Triesman said: "I firmly believe that making Lord Coe a member of our executive board significantly enhances our chances of success."

(AFP via China Daily February 20, 2009)