The world of athletics is always abuzz with excitement, constantly evolving to provide fans with thrilling competitions. Among these competitions, the Golden League and later the Diamond League stand out as two known series in track and field. But which one is or was better? In this article, we will delve into the differences between the Diamond League and the Golden League to determine which league takes the crown.
The IAAF Golden League was a series of outdoor track and field meetings that took place annually, organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The series was known for its jackpot prize, which was awarded to athletes who won specific events at all of the meetings. The prize was sometimes given in gold bars, which inspired the series name.
The competition began with seven meetings and lasted for twelve years, from 1998 to 2009. During this time, the Golden League was the IAAF’s top tier of one-day meetings. Within the IAAF’s global circuit, athletes received additional points for their performances at the Golden League for the IAAF Grand Prix (1998–2002) and the IAAF World Outdoor Meetings (2003–2005). The series was then renamed the IAAF World Athletics Tour (2006–2009).
In 2010, the Golden League was replaced by the Diamond League, which marked an expansion to fourteen seasonal meetings covering all track and field events except the hammer throw. The Diamond League continues to be a major annual series of track and field meetings, exciting track and field fans across the globe. While the Golden League was a significant part of the track and field calendar for over a decade, the Diamond League continues to provide a platform for the world’s top athletes to compete and showcase their talents.
The Diamond League and the Golden League have their own unique qualities and appeal. It is important to weigh all these factors and consider what is most important to you as a fan of track and field. It is subjective to determine which is better and ultimately comes down to personal preference. As a track and field athletic representative, I favor any league that will advance track and field, placing it on par with other major world sports.