IAAF to launch global Diamond League

Photo: www.idrettsetaten.oslo.kommune.no

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will replace the Golden League with a new circuit of elite Athletics Meetings known as the “IAAF Diamond League” starting in 2010. Bislett Stadium in Oslo remains one of the venues.

At present, 12 meetings have signed contracts to join the Diamond League, with 3 others on standby, which means that there will be competitions in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the U.S. The final composition of the league will be confirmed at the end of the 2009 season.

In each of the alltogether 32 events there will be an “IAAF Diamond Race” with points available throughout the season. The athlete with the most points at the end of the series will be awarded a 4 carat diamond (worth approximately $US 80,000).

IAAF President Lamine Diack welcomed the creation of the Diamond League: “I am delighted that the IAAF, in close association with the meeting directors, has come up with a new professional circuit which will offer an easily understandable series of meetings to provide world class entertainment and also offer the maximum number of competition opportunities for a maximum number of athletes in different events.”

Source: iaaf.org