The 2023 IAAF Diamond League will be held at the Egret Stadium in Xiamen. The announcement of the venue for the prestigious track and field competition has generated excitement among sports enthusiasts. The Egret Stadium, with its unique design resembling a flying egret, is set to be a stunning backdrop for the thrilling events that will take place during the Diamond League.
The 2023 IAAF Diamond League Xiamen Station kicked off on September 2, marking the second time that China has hosted this event since 2019. The competition, held at the newly completed Xiamen Bailu Stadium, attracted 151 renowned athletes from around the world. These athletes, including track and field world champions and Olympic champions, put on a spectacular show for the audience of over 30,000 spectators.
The Diamond League is the highest-standard single-day track and field competition organized by the World Athletics Federation. With 14 sub-stations held worldwide, the top athletes from each sub-station will compete in the final event. The Xiamen Station is the only Diamond League event held in China in 2023, further emphasizing the significance of this competition.
Eight Chinese players participated in six diamond point events, showcasing their skills and talents on the international stage. Feng Bin, the bronze medalist of the 2023 World Championships, impressed the crowd with her outstanding performance in the women’s discus event, securing victory with a throw of 67.41 meters. Xie Zhenye, a famous Chinese sprinter, competed in the men’s 100 meters race and finished in 8th place with a time of 10.12 seconds.
One of the highlights of the competition was the women’s discus event, which featured a thrilling duel between Feng Bin and other world champions. Croatian player Perkovic initially took the lead, but Feng Bin managed to surpass her with a final throw of 67.41 meters, securing the championship title. Perkovic and Tausaga from the United States finished as runner-up and third place respectively.
The Chinese athletes’ performance was further highlighted by the achievements of two teenagers, Jiang Zhichao and Wang Fang, who achieved personal best results in the women’s discus event.
In the men’s 100-meter race, the top three athletes all broke the 10-second mark. Christian Coleman from the United States took home the championship with a time of 9.83 seconds, tying the season’s best record. Jamaican runner Thompson came in second with a time of 9.85 seconds, while American athlete Corley secured the bronze medal with a time of 9.96 seconds. Xie Zhenye, representing China, finished in 8th place.
Before the official start of the Diamond League, various pre-games were held, providing an opportunity for Chinese athletes to showcase their talents. Ge Manqi won the women’s 100 meters championship, Wang Shuang claimed victory in the men’s 100 meters competition, and Lin Yuwei emerged as the women’s 100-meter hurdles champion.
The Chinese track and field team, fresh from their journey to the World Championships in Budapest, are now focused on preparing for the Hangzhou Asian Games. The Xiamen competition served as a valuable opportunity for athletes to identify any issues and make necessary adjustments ahead of the upcoming event.
With plans for Xiamen to host the Diamond League sub-stations for the next 10 years, the city is set to become a significant hub for track and field sports. The anticipation is high for the 2024 Xiamen station, which will kick off the World Athletics Federation Diamond League and bring even more excitement to Xiamen’s track and field scene.
Overall, the 2023 IAAF Diamond League Xiamen Station showcased the brilliance of athletes chasing their dreams. The Egret Stadium provided a stunning backdrop for this world-class event, leaving both participants and spectators eagerly looking forward to future competitions.