This thread was initially titled, "Sydney McLaughlin Brussels 400/200". Update on 9/4. The Diamond League will NOT let Sydney run as explained here: https://www.letsrun.com/news/2...
Where to start - hmmm, let's see Greatest track & Field athlete today (and soon to be all time) Now I wonder where you got that scientific deduction from? Is it the fact that she is a double Olympic Gold medalist in a single event and the world record holder into the bargain. Impressive
But wait....................... Faith Kipyegon is a triple Olympic Gold medalist in a single event - oh, and she currently holds the WR for the 100m AND the mile - she also held the WR for the 5000m till earlier this year. Oh and she took time out in the middle of all that to have a daughter.
Or how about Sifan Hassan? A triple Olympic gold medalist in the 5k, 10k AND Marathon - that's quite impressive surely.
Now - what else she ran multiple times ahead of the Olympic Trials—yes, mostly in the U.S. Now let's just be clear about this - entirely in the US - absolutely no "mostly" about it. Glad we got that cleared up.
Now what about this bit....... but let’s not pretend it’s easy for U.S. athletes to travel to Europe for one-off races multiple times a year. Coming from L.A. to Europe for a Diamond League event with low prize money just doesn’t make sense.
Well, this is probably true - but what about the DL event held in her own country, you know, that one they had in Eugene - a quick run round that track & Hey Presto - immediate entry into the DL final and all this embarrassing mess could've been avoided.
Yes - I will wholeheartedly agree the the organisers of the DL have made themselves look like a cowboy outfit - but the fans of athletics called them out on it and they have had the good sense to backtrack - and that's what its all about really, isn't it - keeping the fans happy, because that's how you build a solid base to grow your audience. As for MJ's new league going to be more "professional" - well that's easy to say when it hasn't even been started yet - but I will say this - just chucking a load of cash at something does not guarantee any more level of professionalism than what we currently have.
I mean, I get it - you're a massive fan of SML, but outside the US, she's just an athlete who appeared at the Olympics & won a medal. Thank goodness the Olympics weren't held in the US, otherwise we'd never have had the opportunity to see her in the flesh at all!
ps - feel free to call me a moron if it makes you feel better - at the end of the day, its just a word on the page.
I'm thrilled SML is doing this. The 400 instantly becomes one of the must-watch events of the DL final and it's even better than she's doubling up.
That said, the DL rules specifically say that in order to be awarded a "Global Wild Card" for the final (which is what is happening here), an athlete must have competed in at least one Diamond League competition this year, which SML clearly has not. Best thing for the sport here is for SML to run in the meet, but the entire point of having a rule like that is to prevent what SML is doing -- skipping the entire season and then showing up to the final on a whim. What is the point of having a rule like that if you're not going to enforce it?
This proves why the Diamond League is stuck in the past and can’t be taken seriously. SML, undoubtedly the greatest female track and field athlete today (soon to be all time), announces she’ll run the 200 and 400 at the DL final (reposting the DL official instagram page of the announcement)—huge news for the sport. It’s a chance to draw in more fans, give the league much-needed visibility, and spotlight a star who is purposeful with their racing.
But instead of capitalizing on the moment, the Diamond League completely fumbles it. After announcing her participation, they backtrack because she didn’t qualify by points. Sure, maybe Petr Stastny was technically right to say she couldn’t compete under the rules. But the real issue is the utter mismanagement. How does an organization at this level let something like this happen? It’s embarrassing.
This isn’t about whether the rules were followed—it’s about the disorganization and poor communication that led to this mess. The Diamond League’s leadership let it spiral into a public fiasco. Announcing Sydney’s participation only to revoke it days later? It’s sloppy, amateurish, and humiliating for the circuit. Sydney has 1.5 million followers—far more than the Diamond League’s 900k—and yet they’ve managed to turn what should’ve been a huge boost for the sport into a PR disaster.
Let’s be clear, this isn’t a global sports league. It’s the biggest track and field circuit out there, but it’s run like a European sideshow, completely out of touch with how to promote the sport and handle its stars. This situation only strengthens the case for new leagues like Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track League, which could finally bring real professionalism and innovation to track and field.
Now, on to the complaints about how often she competes. First of all, she ran multiple times ahead of the Olympic Trials—yes, mostly in the U.S., but let’s not pretend it’s easy for U.S. athletes to travel to Europe for one-off races multiple times a year. Coming from L.A. to Europe for a Diamond League event with low prize money just doesn’t make sense. This is part of the problem: the Diamond League doesn’t provide enough incentive for top athletes to compete more often.
But really, who cares how often she races? SML is one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. Every time she steps on the track, she’s breaking records or putting on a masterclass. She’s incredibly purposeful and strategic with her race plan and execution. So instead of complaining about how often she competes, people should be grateful they get to witness her greatness whenever she does. It’s rare, it’s exceptional, and every race she runs is something to be celebrated.
The Diamond League had a golden opportunity to elevate the sport with Sydney at the final. Instead, they mismanaged it from start to finish. And that’s why they’re stuck in the past and deserve to be left behind.
DL is good for sport because you need to compete regularly to qualify for final. Also competing often makes it harder for athletes to hide and cheat. That is why i did like DL, but this wild card thing is bs.
I can confirm that the DL is not going to let Sydney run in the Diamond League finals in Brussels. She can still run in the meet itself but it would have to be in a non-DL event. The CEO of the Diamond League announced the news during the Weltklasse Zurich technical meeting today.
I may have missed it in the 11 pages, but seemingly we've overlooked - how does the DL Final initially announce her, without knowing their own rule?
How did this even happen in the first place?
So I can tell you there is growing discourse between the overarching Diamond League organising committee and a number of the bigger meets (Brussels, Zurich, Lausanne, Monaco etc) and their individual organizers. Meets like Zurich and Brussels in particular (the biggest meets financially) don't need the Diamond League - it's the meets like Rabat, Xiamen, even cash strapped ones like Rome that need it and I know that these bigger meets are getting sick of having their event lineup dictated to them. The peak of it was the 2 meet final where the events were split between Zurich and Brussels and that idea quickly disappeared - my intel/feeling is this setup is on borrowed time.
So to answer your question - how was she announced despite this rule? Well the "DL final" and "Memorial Van Damme" are almost separate entities if that makes sense. So what happened was the MVD meet announced her without knowing the DL Final regulations put in place (mostly because as I posted earlier they were implemented super haphazardly really to suit Nike at Pre last season) and this is ultimately symbolic of the total disconnect between WA, it's DL and the individual meets.
I know Gevaert and the MVD organizer committee will be frothing over this situation. To have SML agree to race twice and then be told "oh no she can't" will drive them crazy. Very interesting to see what happens next season especially with Grand Slam Track on the horizon and needing a European venue...
I'm thrilled SML is doing this. The 400 instantly becomes one of the must-watch events of the DL final and it's even better than she's doubling up.
That said, the DL rules specifically say that in order to be awarded a "Global Wild Card" for the final (which is what is happening here), an athlete must have competed in at least one Diamond League competition this year, which SML clearly has not. Best thing for the sport here is for SML to run in the meet, but the entire point of having a rule like that is to prevent what SML is doing -- skipping the entire season and then showing up to the final on a whim. What is the point of having a rule like that if you're not going to enforce it?
Where to start - hmmm, let's see Greatest track & Field athlete today (and soon to be all time) Now I wonder where you got that scientific deduction from? Is it the fact that she is a double Olympic Gold medalist in a single event and the world record holder into the bargain. Impressive
But wait....................... Faith Kipyegon is a triple Olympic Gold medalist in a single event - oh, and she currently holds the WR for the 100m AND the mile - she also held the WR for the 5000m till earlier this year. Oh and she took time out in the middle of all that to have a daughter.
Or how about Sifan Hassan? A triple Olympic gold medalist in the 5k, 10k AND Marathon - that's quite impressive surely.
Now - what else she ran multiple times ahead of the Olympic Trials—yes, mostly in the U.S. Now let's just be clear about this - entirely in the US - absolutely no "mostly" about it. Glad we got that cleared up.
Now what about this bit....... but let’s not pretend it’s easy for U.S. athletes to travel to Europe for one-off races multiple times a year. Coming from L.A. to Europe for a Diamond League event with low prize money just doesn’t make sense.
Well, this is probably true - but what about the DL event held in her own country, you know, that one they had in Eugene - a quick run round that track & Hey Presto - immediate entry into the DL final and all this embarrassing mess could've been avoided.
Yes - I will wholeheartedly agree the the organisers of the DL have made themselves look like a cowboy outfit - but the fans of athletics called them out on it and they have had the good sense to backtrack - and that's what its all about really, isn't it - keeping the fans happy, because that's how you build a solid base to grow your audience. As for MJ's new league going to be more "professional" - well that's easy to say when it hasn't even been started yet - but I will say this - just chucking a load of cash at something does not guarantee any more level of professionalism than what we currently have.
I mean, I get it - you're a massive fan of SML, but outside the US, she's just an athlete who appeared at the Olympics & won a medal. Thank goodness the Olympics weren't held in the US, otherwise we'd never have had the opportunity to see her in the flesh at all!
ps - feel free to call me a moron if it makes you feel better - at the end of the day, its just a word on the page.
Where to start - hmmm, let's see Greatest track & Field athlete today (and soon to be all time) Now I wonder where you got that scientific deduction from? Is it the fact that she is a double Olympic Gold medalist in a single event and the world record holder into the bargain. Impressive
But wait....................... Faith Kipyegon is a triple Olympic Gold medalist in a single event - oh, and she currently holds the WR for the 100m AND the mile - she also held the WR for the 5000m till earlier this year. Oh and she took time out in the middle of all that to have a daughter.
Or how about Sifan Hassan? A triple Olympic gold medalist in the 5k, 10k AND Marathon - that's quite impressive surely.
Now - what else she ran multiple times ahead of the Olympic Trials—yes, mostly in the U.S. Now let's just be clear about this - entirely in the US - absolutely no "mostly" about it. Glad we got that cleared up.
Now what about this bit....... but let’s not pretend it’s easy for U.S. athletes to travel to Europe for one-off races multiple times a year. Coming from L.A. to Europe for a Diamond League event with low prize money just doesn’t make sense.
Well, this is probably true - but what about the DL event held in her own country, you know, that one they had in Eugene - a quick run round that track & Hey Presto - immediate entry into the DL final and all this embarrassing mess could've been avoided.
Yes - I will wholeheartedly agree the the organisers of the DL have made themselves look like a cowboy outfit - but the fans of athletics called them out on it and they have had the good sense to backtrack - and that's what its all about really, isn't it - keeping the fans happy, because that's how you build a solid base to grow your audience. As for MJ's new league going to be more "professional" - well that's easy to say when it hasn't even been started yet - but I will say this - just chucking a load of cash at something does not guarantee any more level of professionalism than what we currently have.
I mean, I get it - you're a massive fan of SML, but outside the US, she's just an athlete who appeared at the Olympics & won a medal. Thank goodness the Olympics weren't held in the US, otherwise we'd never have had the opportunity to see her in the flesh at all!
ps - feel free to call me a moron if it makes you feel better - at the end of the day, its just a word on the page.
Aside from the typos this is pretty much my take. I don’t understand the down votes honestly. I don’t think people really think Syd is saving the sport. If her and Josh ran more they could definitely inspire people but realistically no one is buying their brands shoes or spikes because they have medals. Syd does have a lot of pull but she never really puts herself out there aside from last years 400 in the DL. it’s her career and she can do what she wants I just can’t root for her.
This proves why the Diamond League is stuck in the past and can’t be taken seriously. SML, undoubtedly the greatest female track and field athlete today (soon to be all time), announces she’ll run the 200 and 400 at the DL final (reposting the DL official instagram page of the announcement)—huge news for the sport. It’s a chance to draw in more fans, give the league much-needed visibility, and spotlight a star who is purposeful with their racing.
But instead of capitalizing on the moment, the Diamond League completely fumbles it. After announcing her participation, they backtrack because she didn’t qualify by points. Sure, maybe Petr Stastny was technically right to say she couldn’t compete under the rules. But the real issue is the utter mismanagement. How does an organization at this level let something like this happen? It’s embarrassing.
This isn’t about whether the rules were followed—it’s about the disorganization and poor communication that led to this mess. The Diamond League’s leadership let it spiral into a public fiasco. Announcing Sydney’s participation only to revoke it days later? It’s sloppy, amateurish, and humiliating for the circuit. Sydney has 1.5 million followers—far more than the Diamond League’s 900k—and yet they’ve managed to turn what should’ve been a huge boost for the sport into a PR disaster.
Let’s be clear, this isn’t a global sports league. It’s the biggest track and field circuit out there, but it’s run like a European sideshow, completely out of touch with how to promote the sport and handle its stars. This situation only strengthens the case for new leagues like Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track League, which could finally bring real professionalism and innovation to track and field.
Now, on to the complaints about how often she competes. First of all, she ran multiple times ahead of the Olympic Trials—yes, mostly in the U.S., but let’s not pretend it’s easy for U.S. athletes to travel to Europe for one-off races multiple times a year. Coming from L.A. to Europe for a Diamond League event with low prize money just doesn’t make sense. This is part of the problem: the Diamond League doesn’t provide enough incentive for top athletes to compete more often.
But really, who cares how often she races? SML is one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. Every time she steps on the track, she’s breaking records or putting on a masterclass. She’s incredibly purposeful and strategic with her race plan and execution. So instead of complaining about how often she competes, people should be grateful they get to witness her greatness whenever she does. It’s rare, it’s exceptional, and every race she runs is something to be celebrated.
The Diamond League had a golden opportunity to elevate the sport with Sydney at the final. Instead, they mismanaged it from start to finish. And that’s why they’re stuck in the past and deserve to be left behind.
No, it does matter how often she races! Track and field is dying because we don't get any match-ups. The real reason the 1500m is so popular is because Jakob, Hocker, Nuguse, Potato Tim...and even Kerr, they are showing up and competing!! I was never a fan of the pole vault, but because of Mondo showing up, I find the battles for 2nd place very exciting, Obiena, Nielsen, Hendricks, Lightfoot, Keralis...if Mondo was not showing up regularly I wouldn't even know half of these guys. Letsile Teboho is showing up every week. Athletes that dominate their events are showing up. Even a 38 year old Djokovic puts in more effort than SML. You and all the SML can gtfo! How hard can it be to even run one DL meet? Especially if you, unlike other athletes, are being paid massive fees to simply show up? It's time to stop pampering these athletes. The fans pay and having SML run the DL final is a massive insult to the fans!
Bear with me but I just want to get this straight before I reply to a discussion on a social media site.
SML cannot run because:
1. She ran no DL meets at all, let alone the 200 and 400 and the Zurich meet does not have a 200 or 400 DL event. She would had to have run those events.
2. She is not the Olympic, World or WR holder in either of the two events.
Lord Coe is the best. Finding a way to keep the sport's biggest star from making history on your biggest stage is just absurd. Imagine if Taylor Swift wanted to do the Super Bowl Halftime Show, but they were like "Sorry, but you forgot to put the cover sheet on your TPS report. Not happening." Morans.
She is so far from being the biggest star in the sport. She isn't even selling tickets in the US judging by the half-empty arenas she's competed in this year. There's an expediency argument for crapping on your own rulebook, but SML isn't worth the hassle. You might do it for Noah Lyles, Sha'Carri Richardson, or Kipchoge since they bring eyeballs but no one else is worth it.
This is all beside the point. The eligibility criteria for the DL final are absurdly low. All she had to do is turn out for a single race of her choosing. She could have jogged in a 100h at Pre so didn't even need to travel. But either her or her management decided that meet directors would be so grateful for her presence that they didn't need to comply with these minimal requirements.
The DL are right to hold the line on this. If the local meet director wants her to line up, then they can put on a non-DL race for her to compete in
On a practical level, allowing unqualified athletes to run the final undermines the entire event. If SML won one of her races, she wouldn't be DL champion so the second placed athlete would be given the trophy but it's farcical. Last year, Athing Mu won the 800 on the track and was given the trophy but then had to give it to Keely Hodgkinson backstage who was second on the day but officially the DL champion. It made a mockery of the competition.
Furthermore, unqualified athletes still take prize money based on place. That's actually really sh1tty for a lot of athletes. SML is rich from her NB contract but most athletes aren't so lucky, that prize money is valuable to them. They've earned their spot in the DL final by racing all season and can see their prize money bumped down because an unqualified athlete flexed their PR muscles to unjustly gain entry to the race.
The sport won't get better by compromising its integrity in order to gain an extra 50 viewers in the US
Lord Coe is the best. Finding a way to keep the sport's biggest star from making history on your biggest stage is just absurd. Imagine if Taylor Swift wanted to do the Super Bowl Halftime Show, but they were like "Sorry, but you forgot to put the cover sheet on your TPS report. Not happening." Morans.
She is so far from being the biggest star in the sport. She isn't even selling tickets in the US judging by the half-empty arenas she's competed in this year. There's an expediency argument for crapping on your own rulebook, but SML isn't worth the hassle. You might do it for Noah Lyles, Sha'Carri Richardson, or Kipchoge since they bring eyeballs but no one else is worth it.
This is all beside the point. The eligibility criteria for the DL final are absurdly low. All she had to do is turn out for a single race of her choosing. She could have jogged in a 100h at Pre so didn't even need to travel. But either her or her management decided that meet directors would be so grateful for her presence that they didn't need to comply with these minimal requirements.
The DL are right to hold the line on this. If the local meet director wants her to line up, then they can put on a non-DL race for her to compete in
SML's management decided to engineer this whole fake-ass controversy as a PR stunt for Grand Slam Track.