MAJOR CHANGES TO DIAMOND LEAGUE IN 2020
Last week started off with the IAAF announcing major changes to the Diamond League structure for the 2020 season. With the league now into its 10th year, the federation are keen to maintain and also boost public interest in the sport and attract as many high calibre athletes as possible. Key changes included:
-reducing the 14 meeting circuit to 12
-cutting distances over 3000m
-only one final to conclude the season rather than 2
The IAAF Diamond League is set to continue into 2020 and beyond!
More info on the new-look series from next year➡️ https://t.co/DZCOLwJjak pic.twitter.com/EUtJZmj3oX
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) March 11, 2019
This of course ignited many controversies, especially amongst distance athletes who were particularly disheartened with the league cutting the longer events from the programme to ensure maximum viewership.
This ⬇⬇⬇ is SPOT on. In athletics we have such a massive disconnect between elite distance running and the millions of people who love to race Park Runs, 10K and marathons. We need to engage those people and get them tuning in to watch the events that they love to run! 🏃💙 https://t.co/oj4k4YX1RD
— Eilish Mccolgan (@EilishMccolgan) March 12, 2019
Read more about the changes here.
WE BID FAREWELL TO THE STREETS OF MANCHESTER
More changes to popular events came in the form of the axing of the Great City Games held in Manchester. After 10 successful years of the infamous street run, which saw Usain Bolt run the fastest ever 150m back in 2009 (14.35), event organisers have decided to retire the event to focus their efforts on the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run. This of course was disappointing for many athletes, especially those from around the city.
So gutted that I never got a chance to compete here, a HOME street meet, before it retired! 🙈 Farewell! https://t.co/HjhUXQ9nsR
— Abigail Irozuru (@Airozuru) March 14, 2019
CHARLTON LEADS THE WAY IN LEEDS
Sam Charlton of Northumberland county took the Senior Boys race in style on Saturday afternoon in Leeds. The Wallsend Harrier added the New Balance English Schools National title to his extensive list of victories this cross country season, making it his forth major victory. Just two weeks’ ago, he took the Inter Counties gold in Loughborough and the English and Northern titles earlier this 2019 season.
Sam Charlton of Northumberland with a hat-trick win 👏👏👏
National Champion✔️
Inter-Counties title✔️
English Schools Gold ✔️
But let’s not forget he took the Northern title as well!
Awesome run from him 👊
📸@lissgphotos pic.twitter.com/THfNy8k59E
— Vinco (@VincoSport) March 16, 2019
Read more about what happened at the English Schools Cross Country Championships here.
GB TEAM SELECTION FOR THE IAAF WORLD RELAYS IN JAPAN
Last week, British Athletics named a team of 26 athletes with 78 major international outdoor medals between them for the IAAF World Relays in Yokohama, Japan from 11-12 May 2019. The 26-strong British team includes seven Olympic, 17 World Championship and 21 European Championship relay medallists. Find out who the rest of the team are here.
🏅 MEDALLISTS DOMINATE BRITISH ATHLETICS TEAM FOR IAAF WORLD RELAYS
🇯🇵 @BritAthletics have today named a team of 26 for @IAAFYokohama19 from 11-12 May. The 26-strong British team includes seven Olympic, 17 World and 21 European relay medallists.
📰 https://t.co/Unib4HXea3 pic.twitter.com/Vc0owCvsWd
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) March 13, 2019
WORLD CROSS TEAM SELECTION
There was more team selection last week, off the back of the Inter Counties in Loughborough, British Athletics released a team of 24 athletes to compete at the World Cross Championships in Aarhus, Denmark at the end of the month. 2018 European Cross senior team silver medallists Jess Piasecki (Robert Hawkins; Stockport) and Kate Avery (Shildon) head the senior women’s selection, along with Under-20 team gold medallist from Tilburg, Amelia Quirk (Mick Woods; Bracknell AC), who earns her first senior vest. Check out the rest of the team here.
🎽 Introducing your 24-strong, full 🇬🇧 team for @Aarhus2019 #REPRESENT pic.twitter.com/q1E2cUNGL2
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) March 12, 2019
JONNIE PEACOCK PROMOTING ACCESS TO PARA SPORT
Fresh off the dance floor from Strictly Come Dancing, the 25-year-old sprinter is back into full time training ahead of the Tokyo Paralympics in 18 months. With the IPC World championships also taking place this November, the Paralympic champion is all guns blazing. But, he wants to challenge the public to embrace para sport more and to actively promote access to sport for those with disabilities.
I’m live on @SundayBrunchC4 talking about the launch of @Parasportuk powered by @ToyotaUK. Tune in now!
— Jonnie Peacock (@JonniePeacock) March 10, 2019
He’s aiming to promote access to disability sport via a new online hub, with the objective of empowering and encouraging disabled people to take up sport and providing them with all the information they need to either join a local club or jot simply stay active. The initiative is called Parasport and you can find out more about it here. Find out more about what Jonnie is getting up to here.
WHAT’S TO COME THIS WEEK?
This weekend, we’ll be in Leicester for the Primary and Year 7 National Cross Country Final. Make sure you tune in via our stream here. Be sure to check out our preview of the event as well.
