by Alfonz Juck
the 5000 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net
AARHUS (DEN): Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei said his concerns for the future of the Diamond League were allayed by a meeting with IAAF president Seb Coe and chief executive Jon Ridgeon. He had believed the world governing body’s changes, which included not having any distances further than 3000m as part of the programme from next year would disadvantage African athletes. The world governing body clarified that organisers were free to include 5000m outside the main programme and that runners, coaches and agents who had been consulted during the process said they were unlikely to race six times over twelve and a half laps over the Diamond League series. Tuwei said after the meeting in Aarhus: “I am satisfied that our athletes will receive sufficient opportunities to compete internationally in 2020 and I am reassured by the IAAF’s undertaking that the impact of these decisions will be considered again at the end of each season and member federations consulted about any changes that might be needed.” From IAAF.
