BBC to screen all Diamond League events

Powell cruised to victory in the 100m at the opening Diamond League event in Doha - live on the BBC

BBC Sport will broadcast all 14 events of the new IAAF Diamond League in 2010.

The five-year deal includes the British Grand Prix in Gateshead and the London Grand Prix, both have which have been added to the old Golden League circuit.

Four events will be shown live on BBC Three, in Paris and Stockholm, plus the series finales in Zurich and Brussels.

All other events will be broadcast live on the red button. The BBC Sport website will have all events live, with on-demand highlights (for UK users).

"It's great to be able to add the IAAF Diamond League to our athletics portfolio and is very exciting to be broadcasting on BBC Three to a young and diverse audience," said Carl Hicks, BBC athletics editor.

DIAMOND LEAGUE 2010

14 May: Doha, Qatar

23 May: Shanghai, China

4 June: Oslo, Norway

10 June: Rome, Italy

12 June: New York, USA

3 July: Eugene, USA

8 July: Lausanne, Switzerland

10 July: Gateshead, UK

16 July: Paris, France

22 July: Monaco

6 August: Stockholm, Sweden

13/14 August: London, UK

19 August: Zürich, Switzerland

27 August: Brussels, Belgium

"2010 looks set to be a great year for British athletics with the European Championships and Commonwealth Games taking place.

"This deal reinforces the BBC's commitment to athletics, and the sport's increasing profile as we build up to London 2012 where it will be a key focal point."

Usain Bolt, the 100m Olympic and world champion, is scheduled to make seven appearances on the circuit, with his first in China this weekend, and is likely to meet close rival and world silver medallist Tyson Gay at least three times.

At least one from Bolt, Gay or former world record-holder Asafa Powell will be scheduled to run at every Diamond League meeting.

The new circuit was devised by the world governing body the IAAF in an attempt to rejuvenate interest in athletics, which is facing increased competition from other sports, and in an economic climate of dwindling income.

DIAMOND LEAGUE FACTS

Events: 14

When: May - August 2010

Total budget: Around US$50m (£33.72m)

Prize money: US$6.63m (£4.47m)

Top prize: Trophy with four carats of diamonds for season leader in each of the 32 events

Disciplines: 32 (all except men's and women's hammer) with 15 per meeting with three exceptions

Three exceptions: 27 at London with Zurich and Brussels each staging 16 season-ending finals

Total prize money for the 14 meetings will top $6.63m (£4.47m) and, along with promotional fees, will be used to set up a number of mouth-watering head-to-heads with the sport's biggest stars engaged with central contracts.

Other innovations in the new league will see athletes from 32 different events taking part, with all disciplines having equal prize money.

Each meeting will have prize money of $416,000 (£250,000).

There will also be a IAAF 'Diamond Race' in each event, with points available throughout the season.

Athletes with the most points at the end of the series will be awarded a four-carat diamond worth around $80,000 (£49,000).