Bolt headlines athletes lined up for Diamond League

By Gene Cherry

MONTE CARLO (Reuters) - Jamaican triple Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt headlines a group of nine athletes contracted to compete in the new Diamond League circuit next year, league organisers and the IAAF announced on Saturday.

Bolt's chief rivals, compatriot Asafa Powell and American Tyson Gay, are also under contract for the 14 meetings.

Distance runner Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, pole vaulters Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia and Australian Steve Hooker, women's 400 metres sprinter Sanya Richards of the United States, high jumper Blanka Vlasic of Croatia and javelin thrower Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway are the other contracted athletes.

All have agreed to compete in at least seven meetings, with either Bolt, Gay or Powell guaranteed to compete in each. Many meets will feature two of the three and a select few will highlight all three sprinters.

"I will be racing Bolt at least three times or more," Gay said in an interview ahead of Saturday's official launch of the league.

The series will replace the Europe-only Golden League circuit of six meetings. Competitions will be held in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States from late May through August with $6.63 million in prize money at stake.

Athletes with the most points in each of athletics' 32 disciplines at the end of the season will receive a Diamond Trophy adorned with several diamonds.