Sebastian Coe has stepped down from his ambassadorial role with sportswear giant Nike.

The president of athletics' governing body, the IAAF, was facing allegations of a conflict of interest.

This week, he moved to deny that he had lobbied for the American city of Eugene - which has ties to Nike - to host the 2021 World Athletics Championships.

"I have always declared my role with Nike as I have in a range of activities. I don't feel it was a conflict of interests, but it had undoubtedly become a distraction," he announced at a news conference.

"I have stepped down from my ambassadorial role with Nike. The current noise level around this role is not good for the IAAF, and for Nike. It is a distraction to the 18 hour days that I and my teams are working to steady the ship."