Diamond League in Doha – rule compromise and Swiss absence – Sport

Swiss athletics is at its peak. Their figureheads are now regulars in the Diamond League. But not at the start in Doha.

The decathlete Simon Ehammer launched the outdoor season in the best possible way from a Swiss point of view last weekend. In Ratingen, Germany, the Appenzeller heaved the Swiss record to 8354 points, now the 22-year-old, second in the World Indoor Championships, wants to go one better in Götzis at the end of May. Annik Kälin had already improved the Swiss record in the heptathlon (6398) on May 1st.

The rest of the Swiss elite are taking a little more time to start the season with the World Championships in Eugene in the US state of Oregon, the European Championships in Munich and the Diamond League final at Weltklasse Zürich. Ajla Del Ponte and Loïc Gasch have announced their starts for Saturday in a week’s time in Birmingham.

Diamond League officials made another change to the calendar last week. Chorzow in Poland is taking over for the corona-related cancellation of two meetings in China. The athletes will therefore be fighting for a place in the finals in Zurich at twelve events, including the Athletissima in Lausanne on Friday, August 26th.

Adjusted controversial Final 3 rule

The Final 3 rule, newly introduced for 2021 and often criticized, will be modified. Not who had achieved the best distance in all six attempts in long or triple jump and in all throws and shots was not considered the winner in 2021. Only the sixth attempt, reserved for the top three, decided victory or defeat.

The compromise for 2022: Only the top 3 will continue to compete for the sixth attempt. But the best distance from all attempts decides the victory.