In 1998, the IAAF created the IAAF Golden League, which was developed as a concept to unify the elite individual Meetings held in Europe.

The IAAF Golden League, comprising seven Meetings rich in athletics tradition, will be held at the height of the athletics season. For competing athletes, the concept is simple: win your IAAF Golden League discipline at each IAAF Golden League Meeting for a share of the IAAF Golden League Jackpot of 50 kilos of gold ingots.

In 2003, the Jackpot amount was increased to 100 kilos of gold ingots, an increase from $500 000 to $1 million.

Cities and Dates for 2008 - ÅF Golden League for 2008

Berlin, GER – Sunday 1 June
Oslo, NOR – Friday 6 June
Rome, ITA – Friday 11 July
Paris, FRA – Friday 18 July
Zürich, SUI – Friday 29 August
Brussels, BEL – Friday 5 September

In 2008, there are TEN ÅF Golden League event disciplines designated to the Jackpot, six events for men and four for women, as follows:

Men: 100m, 400m, 1500m, 400m Hurdles, Long Jump, Javelin Throw
Women: 200m, 800m, 100m Hurdles, High Jump

Athletes are required to win at all six meetings to acquire at least a share of athletics’ biggest yearly payday.

The possibility of a secondary prize also exists as it did in 2007:

To sustain the active participation in the Jackpot of as many athletes as possible through to the culmination of the series, should NO athlete manage to attain six wins and claim the $1 Million, then anyone with five victories will share half the original prize - $500,000.

NOTE. this secondary prize is only on offer should nobody win his or her event at all six meetings.

Paris France | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
Rome Italy | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
Oslo Norway | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
Zurich Switzerland [ 2003 ]
Brussels Belgium | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
Berlin Germany | 2003 | 2002 |

See the Golden Memories from each venue : [ more ]

See the Golden League Events and Scoring : [ more ]

League News 2008:

Jelimo clocks new World Junior 800m record in Paris
The Pamela Jelimo steam train keeps steaming towards records of a various kind and this time, another new World Junior record in the 800m with her winning time of 1:54.97 at the Golden League meeting in Paris.

Isinbayev another World Record ala Bubka style
The Roma Golden League Track series sees a new World Record set in the pole vault by Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva.

Dibaba breaks 5,000m World Record in Oslo
Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba highlighted the second edition of IAAF Golden League2008, the ExxonMobil Bislett Games, breaking the World record in the women's 5,000 meters Friday night in Oslo, Norway.

League News 2007:

Golden League 2007 - Zurich packed to the rafters
After any Championship event you can always expect a drop in performances, especially for those who have won the Gold. Zurich followed Osaka and the stadium was packed with spectators coming out for an evening's athletics and a chance to see the recently crowned Champions from Japan.

Golden League - Golden Troubles
This year controversy seems to be dogging the Golden League series. Last week, in Paris we had the situation of the shambles of the last lap in the Men's 3000m SteepleChase where Kenyan Paul Koech was denied victory after confusion of the last lap.

Webb moves to a new level with Golden League win

Webb posts world leader with Paris Golden League win
Reigning USA Outdoor 1,500m champion Alan Webb ran a huge personal best and posted the fastest men's 1,500m time in the world this outdoor season Friday at the Meeting Gaz de France in Paris, which is the second event of the 2007 IAAF Golden League.

2006 Golden League Events announced

Oslo - Bislett - Golden League 2005 01 August
Oslo Norway - The 2005 Golden League travelled to the revamped Bislett stadium in Oslo, to continue with the great Norwegian tradition of quality track meetings, after a year in Bergen in 2004 during renovations. . | more |

Paris - Saint Denis - Golden League 2005 02 July
Paris France - The start of the 2005 Golden League series started with Paris, with a record 70 000 spectators witness to an evening of vibrant athletics from the Stade de France.

The middle and distance events produced stunning performances, yet no World Records from the Ethiopian athlete, Kenenisa Bekele. When this athlete steps to the line, the World expects. A weight to carry for an athlete so young. | more |