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We're the only county that has two of them? I believe NYC and Eugene are both in the USA! But yes, we're the only *other* country that has two of them...

The lack of regular tv coverage is very poor. Hidden away on red button which can't be recorded or is always forgotten about. 2012 on the way and it's getting harder to see the athletics!

Switzerland also has two, one in Lausanne and the other in Zurich.

Not sure I agree #2 ChrisABZ, as I didn't have Setanta and don't have Eurosport I have never seen so much athletics on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ TV in my lifetime. I am enjoying every second of it too and never thought the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ would get these major Grand Prixs meets back again. I do agree, though, it would be good to have them available on the i-player which (I think) isn't the case at present.

Yes it is bad for other meets not on the diamond league.

It's good for the UK venues to have the marketing umbrella, but for those already on the golden league it seems to have dragged them down and made them less special. I for one, far preferred the golden league set-up.

I wonder why the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ buys the rights to live sport and then doesn't show it on one of our channels, surely if this was live on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳3 or even better, the HD channel, then it would get enough viewers to warrant its purchase?

Tyson Here is jus trying to Make Powell feel and look superior to Usain y?...because he knows he can't beat Bolt....nice try tyson jus make powell ur greatest challenge for now cuz u can't even soil Usain bolt ...to the world wi Jamaican pearl....

Tyson Gay is just perpetuating the myth that sportspeople aren't that smart. To say he fears Powell more than Bolt is just crazy talk that no right minded person would believe.

I have just finished watching the English Schools on another channel, and i am really disappointed that the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ seems only interested in international stars, and not the stars of the future. This is a really important competition and we see so many stars of the future here, and there is not even a mention of it. I am also really disappointed in our stars of the past that seem to be more interested in their commentating careers than supporting our youngsters to come through - Dame Kelly (was there this years as she was last year) and she does a phenomenal effort in trying to harness and bring through the next talent - but it is only for the middle distance athletes it is very disheartening to not see icons in other disciplines not stepping up to the same level and mentoring the young people. We moan and complain about the lack of talent coming through and we should have batches instead of individuals - if you look at the schools competitions they are there - they need support and mentorship because so many don't make through.

So it appears that Fraser has been banned for taking a pain killer for dental problems.

I accept that athletes have some responsibility for what's in their bodies, and I found Ben Johnson's interview last Thursday night on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 5 to be disappointing, I do have some concerns about the IAAF's approach.

For example, athletes are handed drinks when they cross the finish line, or in a marathon/10,000m race, while running. What would the IAAF do if a drink station's supplies were deliberately spiked? Would they ban all of the athletes in that race? There has to be some latitude, surely?

So it appears that Fraser has been banned for taking a pain killer for dental problems.

I accept that athletes have some responsibility for what's in their bodies, and I found Ben Johnson's interview last Thursday night on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 5 to be disappointing, and I agreed totally with Katharine's comments. However, I do have some concerns about the IAAF's approach.

For example, athletes are handed drinks when they cross the finish line, or in a marathon/10,000m race, while running. What would the IAAF do if a drink station's supplies were deliberately spiked? Would they ban all of the athletes in that race? There has to be some latitude, surely?

Caster Seyemna - Surely the IAAF have a responsibility to all female athletes to at least indicate how they have 'patched things up' to enable Seyemna to legally compete as a female. Why are they keeping all the details secret? What have they got to hide? No-one can hide the facts that this person improved their 800m time, (at the Berlin World C'Ships) over a short period of time, by a margin which is virtually impossible to accept could happen.
Your thoughts please Katharine.

I agree with Onyx69's point about TV's failure to show the National Schools championships. Something as simple as that would help to increase and maintain interest at the most important stage. Regional championships should also be shown on regional TV. These intermediate stages in performance are more likely to motivate young people to get involved than seeing only the very best - whose performances to most budding athletes often seem to be out of reach. . . Raising the profile of school level athletics would probably also help to motivate local authorities to do something about provision of track and field facilities. . . . Here in Renfrew town there are quite a few secondary schools and none of them have access to a nearby track, throws or jumps area. Schools is where the focus should be if we are to give the talented young greater opportunities to develop their potential.

.."stamping of authority over your main rivals . .". Well KM, that's an interesting insight. I think most athletes want to win, but I wonder how many want to be able to do it because they've intimidated their rivals, and not because they were the better athlete on the day. I still compete from time to time, and the best victories by far are the ones where the opposition are at the top of their game. I think that was a very unfortunate choice of phrase and hope it's not one that reflects the way things are at the top the heap - if it is then a culture change is needed. It just takes a few elite athletes to express the view that winning satisfies more when rivals also excel, to create a fairer more competitive culture. I remember John McEnroe making just that kind of point more than 20 years.