The year 2023 has been an eventful one for the track and field community. Top-tier athletes from all across the world have been participating in events such as the World Athletics Championships to pave their way towards the pinnacle. The 23-year-old LSU athletics star Sha’Carri Richardson and World Champion Noah Lyles also joined the forces of the United States to help their country stand atop the podium throughout the event. Richardson, with her staunch win in the 100m, became the world’s fastest woman while Noah Lyles returned with three gold medals dangling around his neck.

Team Jamaica also showcased a few extraordinary performances on the Budapest tracks. Shericka Jackson, who successfully defended her 200-meter title at the event, edged ever closer to America’s legend Flo-Jo’s world record. And, 10-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, despite having an arduous season, managed to create history in the relay heats. All in all, the World Athletics Championships, with such extraordinary performance, kept the track and field enthusiasts on the edge of their seats through the event.

Interestingly, only a few days after the Worlds, another event’s comeback is ready to make waves in the track and field community: the Wanda Diamond League. Amid the World Athletics Championships, the Wanda Diamond League was kept on pause for almost a month, but now, the teams have geared up again to show their potential on the international tracks. The league kicked off Thursday in Switzerland.

All you need to know about the Wanda Diamond League

Started in 2010, the Wanda Diamond League is an annual track and field championship that lasts up to five months. This year’s event began on May 5th in Doha and covered its last event in London on July 23rd. Now, to resume the event, round 11 was held in the Swiss city of Zurich on August 31st. The main initiative of this event is to dilute the boundaries to help athletes from all across the world showcase their talent on tracks. In the 13th edition of the event, top-tier athletes will be representing their countries on several international tracks as well.

In the women’s events, the fastest woman on earth, Sha’Carri Richardson, who managed to win two golds at the World Athletics Championships, will be participating in the league. Jamaican legend Shericka Jackson, who won the 200-meter gold at the World stage alongside 100-meter legend Elaine Thompson-Herah, will also be spotted at the Wanda Diamond League. However, the GOAT of track and field, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, will most likely be missing the first few races of the League. The 36-year-old aggravated her knee injury while trying to clinch gold for Jamaica at the Worlds.

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Noah Lyles, who is trying to bring back the dominance of the United States, will also be participating in the league. The athlete, who is looking forward to breaking Bolt’s record, will be in a heated competition with Great British track and field prodigy Zharnel Hughes.

Apart from these highly talented athletes, Yared Nuguse, Josh Ker, and Mohamaed Katir, will be competing in middle-distance heats to secure their tickets to the finals. Erriyon Knighton, who managed to grab a position on the podium, will also be representing the United States on the 100m and 200m tracks, while Noah Lyles’s track and field brother Rai Benjamin will participate in the 400m hurdles.

With such staunch track and field prodigies striving to get the highest position on the podium, this event will truly bring a heated competition on the tracks. Interestingly, apart from aiming for the first position on the podium, the sprinter who will soar in the finals will also be graced with a large prize money.

Track and field champions taking away more than just a win at the league

The two-day Wanda Diamond League finals, starting on September 16, will be held in the Hayward Track and Field Stadium in Eugene. Apart from fighting to win the best position, the athletes will also be competing for the prime money that comes along with it. After the 1st day qualification meeting, out of the total prize pool per discipline of $30,000, the eight best athletes of every discipline are rewarded with a prize money of $10,000. The second position holder is given 6,000, while the last athlete on the podium is given $3,500.

On the second day of the event, a whopping sum of $70,000 will be awarded to the winning athletes in each discipline. The well-deserving athlete takes away almost half of the prize money from the event, while the rest is distributed amongst the other finalists. In addition to the money, the newly crowned champions are awarded the Diamond Trophy and a wildcard for the World Championships.

All You Need to Know About the 2023 Zurich Diamond League

In essence, the world of track and field is alive with exhilarating performances and fierce competitions. The Wanda Diamond League’s upcoming rounds promise to be a showcase of unparalleled athletic prowess. Beyond the medals, the league brings not only honor and cash rewards but also a chance for athletes to etch their names in history with the coveted Diamond Trophy and a wildcard for the World Championships.

Watch this story: Witness the Genesis of the Legend of Noah Lyles: The Finish You Know, Witness, the Start You Don’t