The Wanda Diamond League on Friday announced further alterations to its provisional 2020 calendar, with the cancellation of two meetings and a further event pushed back until the autumn.
This is contained in a statement on the league body’s website.
The Diamond League is an annual series of elite track and field athletic competitions comprising 15 of the best invitational athletics meetings.
The series sits in the top tier of the World Athletics one-day meeting competitions. The inaugural season was in 2010.
It was designed to replace the IAAF GoldenLeague, which had been held annually since 1998.
According to the statement, the Meeting de Paris, provisionally scheduled for Sept. 6, will not take place this season.
”Following the latest government announcements on the organisation of major events in France, meeting organisers concluded that there is not enough time to organise a world-class international event in the French capital this year
”Paris’ well-loved Wanda Diamond League meeting will return in August 2021, at a time when it is able once again to mobilise volunteers and welcome international stars.
”In Eugene, the 2020 Prefontaine Classic has also been cancelled.
”The state of Oregon currently has a ban on large gatherings — including sporting events — and that restriction will be in place until at least the end of September.
”The ban, combined with the expected long term restrictions on international travel, make it impossible to host a world class track & field meet in front of the Hayward Field faithful on Oct. 4
”The Prefontaine Classic is to return in 2021 and provide the opportunity for the University of Oregon to properly introduce the new Hayward Field to track & field fans around the world,” the statement read.
It added that discussions were still ongoing in relation to the Muller Grand Prix Gateshead which is no longer scheduled for Aug. 16.
”Sept. 12 has been identified as a possible alternative date, however final confirmation cannot be given at this time due to UK Government guidelines and restrictions,” the statement read.
It, however, noted that due to the ongoing global health situation and ever-changing regulations, the 2020 Wanda Diamond League calendar remained provisional and subject to further changes.
”The meeting organisers, the Wanda Diamond League and World Athletics remain committed to staging competitions athletes can compete in and fans can enjoy athletics as far as the global pandemic allows.
”The 2020 Wanda Diamond League will not be a structured series of events leading to a final as is usually the case.
”Athletes will therefore not earn Diamond League points this season, and there will not be a single, 24-discipline final in Zurich as originally planned,” the statement read. (NAN)
