Diamond League meetings will no longer feature the 200m, 3000m steeplechase, discus or triple jump at all of its events in 2020.
Athletics’ governing body the IAAF said it did research on the popularity of events and wished to cut the length of meetings for a “90-minute broadcast”.
There will be 12 disciplines staged at each of the 15 Diamond League meetings.
Read: Semenya Loses Landmark Case Against IAAF New Rules On Testosterone
The 3,000m steeplechase and 200m will feature at 10 meetings, while two will stage the discus and triple jump.
None of the four disciplines removed from the ‘core’ list will form part of the Diamond League Final in Zurich in September.
“Our objective is to create a faster-paced, more exciting global league that will be the showcase for our sport. A league that broadcasters want to show and fans want to watch,” IAAF president and Diamond League chairman Lord Coe said.
Read Also: Brace And Assist For Harambee Stars Striker Michael Olunga In Japan (Video)
“However, we understand the disappointment of those athletes in the disciplines not part of the 2020 Diamond League season.”
Kenyan athletes have dominated the 3000m SC for decades. Conseslus Kipruto and Beatrice Chepkoech are the men’s
The IAAF said its decision followed research on the popularity of events which was conducted in China, France, South Africa and the USA, while surveys were carried out in Belgium, Great Britain and Switzerland.
Read Also: Gor Mahia Jump To Position 19 In Latest CAF Club Ranking
Click-throughs on Diamond League social media videos also helped guide the governing body.
Discus, triple jump and the 3,000m steeplechase ranked lowest in terms of popularity, while the 200m was taken off the core list as organizers felt its inclusion alongside the 100m meant the schedule would be “too congested, particularly in an Olympic Games year”.
Former world 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene tweeted: “There’s no such thing as a boring event, it’s how you present it to the public that’s the problem.”
Email your news TIPS to Editor@kahawatungu.com or WhatsApp +254707482874. You can also find us on Telegram through www.t.me/kahawatungu
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
