Karsten Warholm skips Diamond League final over pay dispute

Norwegian hurdler Karsten Warholm has announced he will skip the Diamond League final in Brussels due to a dispute over athlete compensation. Warholm stated that negotiations with the organizers failed to produce a competitive offer, making the event not worth the effort for him.

Warholm argued that the issue extends beyond his personal earnings, suggesting that organizers should not prioritize profits at the expense of athletes, especially given the event's profitability. In response, the Brussels organizers expressed strong disagreement with his claims, maintaining that the appearance fees offered were highly competitive and on par with world-class standards.

Instead of competing in Brussels, Warholm plans to participate in the new Ultimate Championship concept in Budapest the following weekend. His rivals, including Alison dos Santos and Rai Benjamin, are also scheduled to compete in the Budapest event.