IAAF is screwing the field events again.

[norunner]

So after one year with an "experimental format" as they called it, the DL is finally returning to the old six attempts for everyone. So far so good, however, while most events get to be at six DL meets in 2017, all horizontal jumps and throws only get four, why? I checked the Roma DL meet, in 2014 and 2015 they had five horizontal jump and throw competitions there, in 2017 it will be down to three. I really don't get why the IAAF keeps screwing these events, last year some hungarian guy from the DL claimed they actually did it FOR the athletes. Well, you certainly cannot pretend that less DL competition meaning less prize money is good for the athletes.

[Gabriella2]

The funny thing is, we've been told it's to pander to live audiences, but those in-stadium spectators love the field events. Even those just there to see Bolt run, they have something to watch in between track events. And the field events are even more crucial when you have a sh*t seat and are no where near the home straight or finish line; you can at least watch the LJ/TJ/DT/PV/JT/Whatever is nearest you.

[norunner]

The funny thing is, we've been told it's to pander to live audiences, but those in-stadium spectators love the field events.

Even that doesn't make sense, because HJ and PV still get six meets.

[Powell]

I'm guessing the idea is to fit the entire DL into the two-hour TV time slot. Until now, a couple of field competitions would always take place before the main program started. But I'm sure the athletes would rather compete in front of an empty stadium than not at all. And, apart from DT/ JT, all other field events could theoretically be taking place at the same time.

[norunner]

What difference does it make though, they aren't showing the field events live anyway. This year there were several DL meets where not a single jump or throw was shown live. So for TV is shouldn't matter how many events they are going to ignore.

[gh]

At this point I think it might be instructive to point out that whilel the IAAF definitely has fingers in the pie that the Diamond League is an "independent" organization in which the meet directors have a huge voice in what's going on. They're not running charities, and it's in their best interest to put a product on the field that assures they stay afloat (and more than one is said to be in a high state of fiscal stress at this point). That doesn't always translate to a product that the hardcore might think is essential.

[tandfman]

They do seem to be cutting back in some areas. Only 6 of the 14 meets will have a discus throw (men's or women's). And only 9 will have a steeplechase (men's or women's). 9 meets will have a javelin throw (men's or women's).

[norunner]

@tandfman: It's still eight discus competitions in total though, Shanghai and Stockholm have discus for men and women. javelin also has 8.

@GH: It's not the "Diamond League", it's the "IAAF Diamond League", if it has your name on it, you share responsibility.

[Powell]

On the positive side, the top 8 in the final will all get prize money, with $50k going to the winner, so I think even with the reduced number of competitions, the overall prize fund is slightly larger.

[gh]

...

@GH: It's not the "Diamond League", it's the "IAAF Diamond League", if it has your name on it, you share responsibility.

The IAAF is showing the ultimate in "responsibility" by allowing its constituents—constituents who are on the hook for very large sums of money—to tweak the product the way they think it will best affect their bottom line. And make no mistake about it; these new content changes were driven by the meet promoters, not the IAAF.

[norunner]

@Powell, probably, but the field events are footing the bill. Last year Sandra Perkovic won all six DL meets & the final, that's 6x10.000 USD + 40.000 for the final, 100.000 USD in total. In 2017 should she win it all again, she would only make 90.000.

[OneWay]

So after 6 years we are basically back where we were and we are supposed to hail the IAAF/DL as some inventor of the panacea to what ails our sport.

In the meantime, some field events and the 400H are getting shafted.

[Powell]

Ok, now that I've looked at the prize money structure, it actually looks like the overall fund will be down for the field events. It used to be 30k for each of the 7 meets plus 40k for the winner, i.e. 250k in total. Now it's 30k times four plus 100k for the final for a total of 220k. So not an improvement for the athletes either way.

[cubehead]

I think in the near future the field and track events will be treated equally in European DL meets....because there won't be any meets at all.

Anyone who thinks European athletics is not on shaky ground isn't paying attention.

[26mi235]

The vertical jumps are a bit different from the other field events because the focus can often be on the last few heights which is where the winning mark is made. In the throws/horizontal jumps, it can be done in the first throw/jump of the competition.