The Chinese city of Shenzhen will host a new annual World Athletics meeting in the Wanda Diamond League series.

Wanda Sports Group, World Athletics and Diamond League AG announced today that the latest addition to the Wanda Diamond League series is a new event to take place in Bao'an Stadium in Shenzhen on 6th of August 2022.

Shenzhen, as the pilot city for China's reform and opening up, is a leading cultural capital in southern China, known for its vibrant economy and widely dubbed as the Silicon Valley of China by the world's media. It has established itself as an incubator for cutting-edge design, a technology hub for the world's leading innovators and in 2019 it was ranked second on the list of the "top 10 cities to visit in 2019" by Lonely Planet. As well as its economic success, Shenzhen is widely known for its safe and welcoming nature, characteristics which attracts visitors from all over the world. 

It will become the second Chinese city to host a Diamond League meeting, following Shanghai's Diamond League event, which has been an integral part of athletics' premier season-long competition since it first took place in 2010.

There will be 14 programmes in Wanda Diamond League Shenzhen including Men 100m, 400m, 1500m, 3000m Steeple Chase, 110m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, Triple Jump. Women: 200m, 800m, 3000m, High Jump, Pole Vault, Javelin Throw, Shot Put. It is hoped that Chinese athletic celebrities will compete with athletes from all over the world, including Olympic champions, world champions and world record holders. They are expected to take the stage and entertain fans in the stadium and those watching from all over the world.

Official in chargeof the Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, commented “We are delighted that the Wanda Diamond League will take place at Bao’an Stadium in Shenzhen. Hosting such an event has a significant meaning in promoting the city’s reputation, making Shenzhen’s international image more distinctive.”

Vice President Yong Cai of Chinese Athletics Association said” We welcome top tier event from World Athletics such as Wanda Diamond League Shenzhen. This will not only attract more people to pay attention to athletics, but also it will improve the overall competition level of Chinese athletics. CAA will play a positive role to promote this event in China. Wish 2022 Wanda Diamond League Shenzhen a successful competition.

Wanda Group became the title sponsor of the Diamond League series in a 10-year-long partnership with World Athletics in December 2019. Wanda Sports China will cooperate with a new Diamond League Local Organizing Committee to operate the Shenzhen meeting.              

The organizing team will be led by the experienced Norwegian, Rune Stenersen - former CEO of Wanda Diamond League in Oslo. The appointed Meeting Director, Stenersen said: “Athletics in China has a strong following with talented athletes.  We want to build on this.  I am honored and excited to share my experience with the excellent team from Wanda Sports China.  We will work hard to establish this as a top-class track and field meeting to thrill and excite local and international fans.”   

Gao Yimin, Vice president of Wanda Sports Group and President of Wanda Sports China, said: “We are very proud and excited to announce Shenzhen as the host of our new Diamond League event. Wanda Sports China is delighted to bring another top-class sporting event to China. In addition to our existing title sponsorship partnership of the Wanda Diamond League series this demonstrates the Wanda Group`s commitment to developing athletics in China.” 

Hosting large-scale sporting events has become part of Shenzhen’s efforts to develop itself into a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The city in South China’s Guangdong Province boasts an impressive sporting pedigree, having hosted the 26th Summer Universiade in 2011, the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2019 and the WTA Finals in tennis from 2019 to2028. The Shenzhen Meeting will be a great addition to the athletic sporting event to the host city, it will also bring positive impact to the sport industry of the city.  This competition will bring new challenges and opportunities to the international and innovative development of Shenzhen.

The Bao’an Stadium, the main venue for 2011 Summer Universiade, has a capacity of 40,000. The Shenzhen Bao’an stadium has just undergone a modification project that lasted 3 months. The upgrade included brand new main running track and training running track, renovation of competition facilities and lighting system. 

After the completion of the upgrade, World Athletics has issued the Shenzhen Ba’oan Stadium with class 1 athletics facility certificate. This means the facilities meets all the technical requirements of the World Athletics Rules for world class competitions. The stadium has also got acceptance from the experts from Chinese Athletic Association. The lighting system meets the requirements of CCTV and other world class television broadcasters to produce top international athletic events live on TV. 

For further information about Wanda Diamond League meeting in Shenzhen, please visit: www.diamondleague.com

Enclosed picture free of use with photo credits: Wanda Sports China