Pre Classic to join international series in 2010

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield ... xml&coll=7

Pre Classic to join international series in 2010
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
KEN GOE
The Oregonian Staff
Track Town USA's place in the world became a little bigger and brighter Monday when the Prefontaine Classic was announced as one of at least 12 meets that will participate in the new IAAF Diamond League international track and field series.

The Diamond League, scheduled to begin in 2010, is an attempt to create a worldwide series of meets that will match the top athletes against one another on a regular basis, something like major golf tournaments or Grand Slam tennis events.

The Pre Classic, sponsored by Nike, and the Reebok Grand Prix in New York were the only two U.S. meets selected.

When the series is finalized, it is expected to include meets in Europe, China and Qatar.

"It's nice to be recognized throughout the world as one of the 12 best meets in the world," Pre Classic meet director Tom Jordan said.

Each Diamond League meet is expected to offer $416,000 in prize money, which roughly will double the amount of prize money offered by the Pre Classic.

Each meet is expected to include 16 of the 32 events, with events to be rotated each year.

In practical terms, it means Pre Classic spectators will have a better chance of seeing, say, world record-holder Usain Bolt sprint against other top sprinters on a regular basis.

"The goal of the Diamond League is to get the marquee athletes, the headliner athletes, under contract so they will compete in each of the Diamond League events every other year," Jordan said. "There have been a lot of athletes we haven't been able to get -- Usain Bolt and Yelena Isinbayeva in the pole vault.

"We've had Jeremy Wariner, but not in the 400, his specialty. Those kind of things help the Pre Classic step up another notch."

[chasing6]

I was excited to hear this news being a PNW resident and all. I've been to the Pre Classic numerous times (including last year, Go Brad!), and they're always amazing meets. This will surly bring even more top competitors to the region. On the flip side, I hope it doesn't make the ticket prices skyrocket, although I'd probably still go anyway.

[Barto]

It may mean we get to see the women in Pre!

[rainbowgirl28]

It may mean we get to see the women in Pre!

They have had them there before.

[Barto]

"Before" is the same as "not if they can help it."

Pre has had the men many more times than the women for a reason.