Noah Lyles (L) of the U.S., Andre de Grasse (C) of Cnada and Ramil Guliyev (R) of Turkey compete in men's 200-meter race of IAAF Diamond League in Brussels, September 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
The IAAF this week announced the schedule for the 2020 season Diamond League. Unlike the previous seasons, four disciplines – 200-meter sprinting, 3,000m steeplechase, discus or triple jump – were removed from the core list.
The world athletics governing body said it had done its homework before making the decision. The four disciplines were only cut to make sure that the broadcasting of the Diamond League is within 90 minutes.
Athletes compete in women's 3000m steeplechase of the IAAF Diamond League in Shanghai, May 13, 2017. /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. However, we understand the disappointment of those athletes in the disciplines not part of the 2020 Diamond League season," said IAAF president and Diamond League chairman Sebastian Coe.
According to the IAAF's research, 3,000m steeplechase, discus and triple jump are the three least-liked sports of the Diamond League. The 200m sprinting was also removed because the athletes attending both the 100m and the 200m events may be overloaded, especially in an Olympic year.
Whitney Ashley of the U.S. competes in women's discuss throw of the IAAF Diamond League in London, July 22, 2018. /VCG Photo
Though they are not core disciplines any more, the four events can still be seen at the Diamond League. The 200m sprinting and 3,000m steeplechase will feature at 10 meetings (five male, five female), discus and triple jump will happen at two meetings (one male, one female).
Meanwhile, the IAAF plans to launch new Continental Tour which will contain the four removed disciplines so those athletes can win bonuses as compensation.
Shanieka Ricketts of Jamaica competes in women's triple jump of the IAAF Diamond League in Zurich, August 29, 2019. /VCG Photo
However, it is still a very controversial decision that was questioned by many people.
British sprinter Adam Gemili tagged the Diamond League on Twitter and posted a gif of Tom Hanks mouthing "really?".
"There's no such thing as a boring event, it's how you present it to the public that's the problem," wrote former world 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene.
"There are so many things wrong with World Athletics decision re Diamond League events but what Usain Bolt showed athletics is that it's not about events but personalities and to exclude and alienate one of the sport's true stars @Taylored2jump (Christian Taylor) is beyond comprehension," tweeted triple jump world record holder Jonathan Edwards.
"You are seriously destroying the historical and cultural heritage of the sport of athletics because of some short term marketing strategy," wrote an organization named Global Throwing in a letter to Coe.
The 2020 season of Diamond League will begin in Doha on April 17.