14 March 2006, Monte-Carlo – A new concept for the IAAF Golden League Jackpot has been agreed for the 2006 season, retaining the $1 Million total, but making it possible for more athletes to benefit from the sports’ biggest prize.

In recent years $1 Million was shared by athletes who won their event at all six Golden League meetings.

Now in the new concept for 2006, athletes who win at any five of the six meetings will share a purse of $500,000, so allowing more athletes to retain an interest in the Jackpot for longer during in the Golden League season.

An additional $500,000 is then on offer to be shared by athletes who succeed in winning a sixth time.

As usual all Jackpot winners will be required to compete at the season ending IAAF World Athletics Final (Stuttgart, GER, 9 – 10 Sep 2006) to qualify for their prize for accomplishing what is the toughest challenge in our sport.

Bekele to run entire Golden League:

World Athlete of the Year, Kenenisa Bekele who last weekend became the first man in history to win World titles on three different surfaces (indoor and outdoor track, and cross country), when taking victory in the Men’s 3000m Final at the World Indoor Championships in Moscow, is the first star athlete to embrace the new Jackpot concept, announcing that he will run the entire IAAF Golden League season in 2006.

Ethiopia’s World indoor and outdoor record holder at 5000m confirmed: “With no individual global championships to aim at in 2006, my focus is the Golden League this summer, and I am looking forward to challenging for the $1 Million prize.”

IAAF

2006 IAAF Golden League Events:
 
· Men: 100m, 400m, 1500m, 3000/5000m, Long Jump, Javelin Throw

· Women: 100m, 400m, 3000/5000m, 100m Hurdles, High Jump

IAAF Golden League – Dates and venues in 2006:

· Friday 2 June, OSLO, NOR
· Saturday 8 July, PARIS, FRA
· Friday 14 July, ROME, ITA
· Friday 18 August, ZURICH, SUI
· Friday 25 August, BRUSSELS, BEL
· Sunday 3 September, BERLIN, GER