byAlfonz Juck
Ronnie Baker, photo by PhotoRun.net
DL will change from 2020
DOHA (QAT): The IAAF Council has approved changes to the IAAF Diamond League which will come into practice from 2020. The main changes will be a reduction of key disciplines from 32 to an agreed 24 disciplines (12 male / 12 female) with the longest event on the track being the 3000m. There will be 12 meetings ahead of one season-ending finale featuring all 24 disciplines and there will also be a greater focus on out-of-stadium and city centre field events. “The IAAF Diamond League is the way millions of sports fans engage with athletics on a top level every year. It is a strong circuit that is celebrating its 10th year but we can make it even stronger and more relevant to the world our athletes and our fans live in today,” said IAAF President Sebastian Coe. Currently Diamond League has 12 meetings and 2 finals.
runblogrun opines: The changes seem to all be about making TV happy at the same time terrestrial TV is loosing viewership and streaming video is picking up the most desired age groups. Perhaps the IAAF could do something really innovative and have streaming for entire event and terrestrial TV for the selected events. Right now, the IAAF seems to have annoyed everyone in the sport. While it is unifying, not exactly the way that they wanted.
