'20 DL schedule released [and event distribution]

[ATK]

In addition to multiple Hammer (and Dec) WR's outside of the DL, the two most recent world records to be set at DL meetings were in the women's steeplechase.

[Conor Dary]

Wow....a WR, or even two, at a small meet...that would be horrible...

https://www.nrk.no/video/PS*76117

[Wiederganger]

A WR in any meet is amazing, the point is that the IAAF is removing events from its flagship DL meetings which are the likeliest to produce WRs going by this season, which is ridiculous. What better way to help promote the sport and the DL by realistic WR attempts and possibilities.

Trying to ensure the sport stays relevant in the market is necessary, but they have it completely wrong in thinking removing certain events is the answer. It is totally, totally misguided. There are many other ways to make the sport appealing without destroying events.
Already removing the HT, and now the DT, so that meeting directors dont have to have a cage interfering with other events, or not having the time to showcase both the TJ and the LJ within a 90 min slot, is totally ridiculous when we have been having athletics meetings with cage throws and horizontal jumps since forever. World Athletics needs a lesson in marketing.

[gh]

see link on home page for the distribution of events for '20 DL season

[ATK]

Looks like Zurich is going to struggle fitting all those events into the 90 minute TV window.

[gh]

obviously, that's not the plan

IAAF press release of August 26

<<The Diamond League finals will feature a 150-minute international broadcast, an hour longer than the regular season meetings,>>

[Powell]

Unfortunately, "Athletics" wil gain zero traction in a crucial market: the U.S.

Not sure whe gaining traction with the general US public would be important here. This is a trade union, not a brand that's going to be associated with a product in the media.

[gh]

Not sure whe gaining traction with the general US public would be important here. This is a trade union, not a brand that's going to be associated with a product in the media.

it's not traction with the public I'm worried about so much as I am the U.S. media, which barely recognizes track & field, will shunt "athletics" even farther into the background. If that's possible.

[tandfman]

As I may have said elsewhere, the problem with "athletics" is not just that it doesn't mean track and field in the U.S. It's that it means something else entirely. It means sports--all sports. And I don't see that changing, ever.

[Atticus]

As I may have said elsewhere, the problem with "athletics" is not just that it doesn't mean track and field in the U.S. It's that it means something else entirely. It means sports--all sports. And I don't see that changing, ever.

And all you need to do is look at the medal counts in Global Champs to see that we remain the elephant in the room. Ya better consider it when cleaning the room.