IAAF Cuts Diamond League Disciplines from 16 to 12

By Adam Kopet

The IAAF announced the 12 disciplines that will be contested in the 2020 Diamond League series. There will be a reduction from the original 16 disciplines to better fit the new television window of 90 minutes.

The 12 disciplines, for both men and women, include the 100, 400, 800, 1,500, and 3,000 meters, the 100/110-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles, long jump, high jump, pole vault, javelin and shot put.

The events that will not appear as part of the Diamond League program in 2020 include the 200 meters, 3,000-meter steeplechase, triple jump and discus. The 5,000 meters has been replaced entirely with the 3,000 meters.

Athletes in the affected events has been negative.

Noah Lyles, the 2019 world champion in the 200 meters, showed surprise at the elimination of his primary event.

Wow no 200m pic.twitter.com/ixgpjsiCy4

— Noah Lyles (@LylesNoah) November 6, 2019

The 200 meters was cut to balance what would have been a potentially sprint heavy schedule. The men's 200 meters showed great depth with 13 men breaking 20 seconds this year.

Emma Coburn, the 2017 world champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, expressed her disappointment in the removal of the steeplechase from the Diamond League circuit. She separately expressed concern over how she was going to replace the prize money and appearance fees she has earned in the past.

I’m disappointed. Cutting events isn’t the solution for exciting TV. Don’t blame athletes/events @iaaforg. We compete and put on a show. Racing is exciting & compelling. It’s on you to translate that. I guess our efforts & contributions racing & promoting the DL mean nothing 🤷🏼‍♀️

— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) November 6, 2019

The IAAF did announce that the disciplines that have been cut will still appear at Diamond League meets next year, but they will not feature the same prize money requirements or be contested at the Diamond League final in Zurich at the end of the season. The 200 meters and steeplechase will be contested in the broadcast window five times each for men and women at 10 different Diamond League meetings. Additionally, the discus and triple jump will will be contested once each for men and women.

After push back earlier this year, especially by Athletics Kenya, the changes to the Diamond League next year will be reviewed at the end of the season and could change for 2021.