From Inside the Games
Olympic and world champion triple jumper Christian Taylor, founder of the The Athletics Association, will join other key members in meeting World Athletics President Sebastian Coe in Monaco this week.
Taylor launched the association earlier this month in the wake of radical changes to the Diamond League schedule from next season.
The triple jump, 200 metres, 3,000m steeplechase and discus have been controversially cut from the Diamond League Final next year.
The 200m and 3000m steeplechase will still feature in 10 of the 15 meetings on the circuit.
Britain’s world 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith is among those who support the new association, which Taylor says will “fight for athletes’ rights” and now numbers “hundreds” of top athletes.
Olympic champions including Sandra Perkovic, Caterine Ibarguen, Katerina Stefanidi and Omar McLeod, as well as pole vault world record holder Renaud Lavillenie, have also joined the group.
“We are excited to meet with @sebcoeofficial next week before the Annual Gala in hopes of discussing change,” Taylor posted on Twitter.
“Whether discussing Athlete’s rights and voices over the last few years or months these CHAMPIONS believed in taking the next step toward a better future…
“We have hundreds of other brilliant and inspiring Olympic champions, World champions and continental champions who have signed up already.
“The support has been fantastic…
“Talking about the issues is one thing, but backing them up with action is another.
“We are fighting for a voice, fighting for a seat and fighting to save OUR SPORT.
“WE ARE THE SPORT and we must work together for a better tomorrow.”
