17 Jun 2009

Diamond League adds Rome and Doha

9:03 am on 17 June 2009

The International Association of Athletics Federations says the new Diamond League will take place in 14 cities in Europe, the United States, China and the Middle East when it is launched next year.

Germany, long an athletics stronghold, was the most notable absentee from the schedule after Berlin Golden League meeting organisers said they would not be joining the Diamond League.

Berlin is the only member of the current six-city Golden League not participating in the new Diamond League.

Doha and Rome have been added to the original 12 venues for the Diamond League, which was announced in March as a means of increasing interest in athletics through head-to-head competition.