This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.
Kenyan athletes are set to lose out on significant income from the Diamond League circuits if the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) settles on 12 disciplines per meeting starting next season.
As reported earlier this year, Kenya and Ethiopia had opposed the IAAF's decision to cut the 5,000m and 10,000m from the lucrative Diamond League circuit.
On August 20, 2017, Kenyan athlete Hellen Onsando Obiri competed in the women's 3,000m during the 2017 IAAF Birmingham Diamond League athletics meeting at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.
Published on October 23, 2019, the Diamond League General Assembly announced that they are still deliberating on whether each meeting is able to host 11 or 12 Diamond League disciplines in the set timeframe.
According to reports, the number of disciplines will be cut from 32 to 24; 12 each for men and women. The longest event will be the 3,000 meters race.
With 5,000m and 10,000m out of the programme, Kenyans and Ethiopians runners, who have always called the shots over the distances, will now miss the chance of winning more accolades.
“The new Diamond League programme and format may bring challenges to the events African athletes are good at. We are watching keenly,” Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei posted on the athletics forum WhatsApp group.
However, IAAF will also launch a second international series of one-day meetings in 2020 (entitled the World Athletics Continental Tour), which will provide world-class competition, top-flight world ranking points, and earning opportunities for many athletes.
Chairman of the Diamond League Board, Sebastian Coe, said: “The Diamond League is our shop window and we want to attract new fans with a fast, action-packed format that is commercially attractive to broadcasters and partners. That approach has already been endorsed by our new title sponsor Wanda.”
Next year will definitely present a busy season for Kenyan stars with 14 Diamond League leagues set to start in April instead of the usual May.
