Diamond League oversteps with new format – Ricketts

As backlash from athletes continue over the new long jump format, World Championship triple jump silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts believes that any changes to events should elevate the sport rather than lessen the quality of the competition.

The 'final three' format debuted at the recent Diamond League meet in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday. But fans and athletes have frowned upon the concept. The pilot changes saw the top three competitors after the allotted five rounds advance to a one-round 'mini-final'. The competition was won by South Africa's Ruswahl Samaai won with a distance of 8.09m over Sweden's Thobias Montler with 8.06m, despite the latter having the best jump (8.13m) during the five rounds.

Although Diamond League CEO Peter Stastny said that the change was a means to be innovative, Ricketts believes it will dampen the competition.

"This new format I doubt will have the impact the organisers thought they would have achieved," Ricketts told STAR Sports. "Athletes will leave the competition now feeling cheated in some instances, like what transpired where one jumper was leading with 8.13m but lost in the sixth round to someone who jumped only 8.09m."

Additionally, the changes, in her eyes, have not made the competition fan-friendly and, at the same time, put athletes under additional pressure.

"This new format isn't just confusing to fans watching the event, but it's very unfortunate and causes unnecessary stress to the athletes," she said. "I believe the field event should be left alone. as the top eight getting their additional three attempts in the one-day competition works just fine."

Among the critics of the format is World and Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor, who is also the first president of The Athletics Association, the newly formed organisation advocating for independent representation. Taylor took to Twitter on Sunday, saying that athletes should be able to offer acceptable alternatives to increase the sports popularity.

"I understand the need for 'innovation', but can we at least speak to the athletes and give US the opportunity to present reasonable solution to making the sport more exciting?" he said.