MONACO, March 27 (Xinhua) -- World Athletics announced on Friday that three more meetings of the 2020 Diamond League will be postponed due to the global coronavirus outbreak.
Following the postponement of three early-season events in Qatar and China last week, the series has decided to suspend meetings in Stockholm (scheduled for May 24), Naples/Rome (May 28) and Rabat (May 31).
"The decision was made in close consultation with all the relevant parties. The dynamic global spread of the Covid-19 disease, the travel restrictions expected to be in force for some time, and above all concerns over athlete safety have made it impossible to stage the competitions as planned," World Athletics said in a statement.
It said the Wanda Diamond League and World Athletics aim to ensure that athletes can compete at the highest possible level this year, and that fans will be able to see athletes in action when the situation allows.
Athletics' global governing body also said that new dates for Diamond League events will be announced in cooperation with the World Athletics Global Calendar Unit as soon as the situation makes a reliable plan possible.