The Director of Competition: "Then athletics have a credibility problem"

On Friday, reports came that Bauhausgalan was losing its Diamond League status to next season, something Aftonbladet was the first to report. When SVT Sport reaches competition director Jan Kowalski, he is surprised at the task.

- No formal decision has been made on which galas to attend. An independent committee will evaluate the crowds that have participated this year and will present a proposal on the crowds that will be with 2020 onwards. Then such a decision can be appealed, he says.

If the information is correct that the Bauhaus gal loses its Diamond League status, that means problems for athletics in general, Kowalski says.

- It is very unfortunate if it is a decision that has been made and that it has been made in the corridors. Then international athletics has a major credibility problem. There is no reason to have a process with an impartial member committee and a board that is fairly impartial.

- We will see what happens but formally no decision has been made and we have not been told why we would not be able to participate and that it has already been decided.

Can the information be correct?

- I can't judge it. I have no reference to who would have made such a statement. The only thing we can do is wait and see. But it would be very unfortunate for international athletics if a decision was made before the process was even completed.

What if you don't get Diamond League status?

We think we are one of the best contests in the Diamond League. We are always trying to improve and now we are financially equipped for five years to come. We will run an athletics gala at Stockholm Stadium with the highest international participation.