US athletes slam World Athletics over reform

LOS ANGELES: USA Track and Field’s athletes lashed out at World Athletics plans to cut several events from next year’s Diamond League series, accusing the sport’s global governing body of being “out of touch”.

In an open letter to World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe, USATF’s Athletes Advisory Committee called on the global body to reverse plans to axe the triple jump, the 200m, steeplechase and discus from the programme.

The IAAF, who changed their name to World Athletics this week, announced the overhaul on Nov 6, claiming the moves would help streamline Diamond League events in an effort to make meetings more attractive for television audiences.

However, the moves have been greeted with howls of protest across the athletics world, while American triple jump star Christian Taylor has announced the launch of a global group aimed at giving athletes a bigger say in the sport.

In their letter to Coe, the USATF athlete’s grouping said it “wholeheartedly condemned” the Diamond League reforms.

“The IAAF and Diamond League organisers have shown themselves to be completely out of touch with the sport they are entrusted to grow and protect,” the letter said, accusing world authorities of shutting athletes out of the reform process.

“We understand changes need to be made in order to attract the appeal of a global audience, but the IAAF have shown no desire to include a sufficient number of athletes in the thought or decision-making process and this is where our frustration lies.

“By eliminating the opportunity for discussion, we see that you do not have the athletes as partners in this process. Consequently, the decisions being made appear self-serving and biased.”

On Saturday, triple jump world record holder Jonathan Edwards said denying Taylor a stage to compete was “beyond comprehension.”