Stadium set to host Diamond League
SOME of the world’s best athletes could be heading to Tyneside in the run-up to this summer’s Olympics after Gateshead Stadium stepped in to host a Diamond League meeting.
The stadium will host the first such event of the year after the original host – Rabat, in Morocco – had to pull out due to rising coronavirus cases in the North African country.
There is a chance spectators will be able to attend the meeting on May 23, depending on the UK continuing to meet the Government’s roadmap for easing of coronavirus restrictions.
The event will come just two months before the scheduled start of the Tokyo Olympics, raising the possibility that top athletes will use the event as part of their preparations. The meeting will also give UK athletes the opportunity to compete against top class opposition.
Gateshead last held a meeting of the Diamond League – the top global circuit for track-and-field competition – in 2010, though it has since then staged the European Team Championships.
It had been due to host a Diamond League event last year but the meeting was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The event could provide boost a joint Newcastle and Gateshead bid to host the European Championships in 2026, which – if successful – would be the largest sporting event ever held in the region.
Sheena Ramsey, chief executive at Gateshead Council said: “Gateshead is delighted to support the return of international athletics and to host the Muller Grand Prix – the inaugural event in the Diamond League series.
“Owing to the pandemic, we were unfortunately unable to host international athletics in 2020, however we hope the launch of the series here in the North East, will kick start the much-needed regional recovery from Covid-19 and the devastating impact it has had upon all of our lives.
“Gateshead has a rich sporting heritage and the return of the Diamond League series is very much welcomed.
“We look forward to working with UK Athletics, regional partners and neighbouring local authorities to take full advantage of the return of international athletics to the region. We see this as the first step towards our shared ambition to host the 2026 European Championships and welcome the opportunity to support Team GB ahead of the Olympics.”
The event will be managed in line with Government guidelines, with competing athletes subject to tests prior to travel and upon arrival. A secure event bubble will be constructed around the venue, accommodation, and transport.
Subject to the next roadmap milestone being achieved on May 17, it is hoped there will be an opportunity for spectators to attend the event.
UK Athletics CEO Joanna Coates said: “It was absolutely essential for us to be able to support our athletes’ preparations for Tokyo with the staging of a world class event next month, as well as assist the Diamond League. We know our athletes need more opportunities to compete at a high level this year and that Covid-19 has been a challenge for us all. Even with exemptions for elite sport many athletes do not wish to take the additional risk of contracting the virus so close to the Games.”
She added: “Our thanks go to Gateshead Council who have stepped up very quickly to make this possible. The North East has such a great history of hosting world class athletics and it’s great to be returning there.
“We hope the event can be a cause for celebration with the region playing a pivotal role in preparing our athletes for success this summer and kick starting our major events season.”