Jamaica's Kimberly Williams in action during the IAAF Diamond League women's triple jump in Monaco, July 11, 2019. /VCG Photo
Eight disciplines have been axed from the core program of the 2020 Diamond League season, reducing the number to 24 – 12 each for men and women – to cater to a 90-minute broadcast window, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said on Wednesday.
The Diamond League conducted research to decide which disciplines should be a part of the 2020 season and concluded that the men's and women's 200 meters, discus throw, triple jump and 3,000-meter steeplechase will not be contested.
While the 200 meters was excluded as organizers felt it would be too congested alongside the 100 meters in an Olympics year, the other field events were the least popular disciplines in the survey.
The 100 meters, long jump and high jump turned out to be the three most popular disciplines in online and post-event surveys conducted across several countries. They are part of the core program and will appear at all meetings and the final.
Athletes compete in the IAAF Diamond League women's 3,000-meter steeplechase in Birmingham, UK, August 18, 2019. /VCG Photo
"Following a detailed review of the schedule for the 90-minute broadcast window of the Diamond League, both the 200 meters and the 3,000-meter steeplechase will be included in 10 meetings (5 male and 5 female) in the 2020 Diamond League season," the IAAF said in a statement.
"Two meetings will also feature discus and triple jump (1 female and 1 male). However, none of the four disciplines will feature in the Diamond League final in 2020."
The 2020 calendar consists of 14 meetings and one final in Zurich.
Last month, Diamond League officials agreed to add a 15th meet to its 2020 season in China as part of a partnership with Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group who agreed to a 10-year deal to become the title sponsor of the circuit.
Cuba's Denia Caballero in the IAAF Diamond League women's discus throw in Brussels, Belgium, September 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
"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 Sebastian Coe said.
"However, we understand the disappointment of those athletes in the disciplines not part of the 2020 Diamond League season."
"We want to thank the 10 Diamond League meetings which have found a way to include the 200 meters or the 3,000-meter steeplechase, male and female, during the 2020 season and the four meetings hosting a discus throw competition or a triple jump competition."