High prize money, compact events and the final in the Zurich Letzigrund: The Diamond League is a highly doped meeting series in international athletics. The most important data and facts.
What is the Diamond League in athletics?
The Diamond League comprises a total of 15 stations on four continents. 14 serve the qualifications for the final in Zurich. It starts on April 26th in Xiamen (China). The final will be on 27/28. August held in the legendary Letzigrund.
Where are the Diamond League meetings held?
The competition series begins in China and ends with the final in Zurich. The stations in the overview (times are German time each):
- April 26: Xiamen (China): 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- May 3: Shanghai/Keqiao (China): 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- May 16: Doha (Qatar): 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- May 25: Rabat (Morocco): 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- June 6: Rome (Italy): 9pm- 11pm
- June 12: Oslo (Norway): 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- June 15: Stockholm (Sweden): 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- June 20: Paris (France): 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- July 5: Eugene (USA): 10 p.m. – 0 a.m.
- July 11: Monaco: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- July 19: London (Great Britain): 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- August 16: Silesia (Poland): 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- August 20: Lausanne (Switzerland): 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- August 22: Brussels (Belgium): 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- August 27: Zurich (Switzerland): 5.30 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.
- August 28: Zurich (Switzerland): 6.30pm – 10pm
How many disciplines are there?
In a total of 32 disciplines, winners are chosen at the end of the series. However, all disciplines are only held at the final in Zurich. The competition program varies for the first 14 meetings.
The disciplines at a glance:
Women: 100 m / 200 m / 800 m / 3000 m / 100 m hurdles / 400 m hurdles / 3000 m hurdles / high jump / pole vault / long jump / triple jump / lacquer wheels / discus / spear throw
Men: 100 m / 200 m / 800 m / 3000 m / 110 m hurdles / 400 m hurdles / 3000 m hurdles / high jump / pole vault / long jump / triple jump / lacquer press / discus / javelin throw
What is the Diamond League mode?
In the first 14 meetings, the athletes get points for their placements: the winner 8, the second 7, the third 6 – and so on – to the eighth, which still gets a counter.
In the technical disciplines, the top six qualify for the final in Zurich, and the best eight on the running routes up to 800 meters. The best ten qualify for the longer running routes.
There is also the possibility that athletes will receive a wildcard for the final.
In Zurich, the victory will then be decided in all 32 disciplines. The only decisive factor is the placement at this meeting.
What is the prize money at Diamond League?
A total of $ 9.24 million (approx. 8.12 million euros) will be distributed: $ 500,000 per meeting in the first 14 stations – and $ 2.24 million in the final in Zurich.
At the first 14 events, the winners each receive $ 10,000, at the final in the Letzigrund. This sum can increase to 20,000 or 50,000 (at the final), since the World Athletics Association will determine four and eight disciplines at the final of the first 14 meetings, which receive a so-called Diamant Plus discipline status. It will be announced at short notice.
Are Germans at the start?
The German Athletics Association is represented with three athletes at the opening meeting in Xiamen (China). Imke Onnen (Cologne Athletics) and Christina Honsel (TV Wattenscheid), in the discus throw Marike Steinacker (Leverkusen) start in the high jump.