Plans for a new global elite athletics league have been launched by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) as part of a bid to enhance the sport's worldwide appeal.

Starting in 2010, the IAAF Diamond League will replace the existing Golden League and incorporates 12 meetings across the world, including AVIVA British Grand Prix, the Reebok Grand Prix New York and the China Golden Grand Prix. Three further meetings are currently on standby for the new competition, and the final composition of the league is expected to be confirmed by the end of the year.

Athletes from 32 events will be given the chance to take part due to the distribution of disciplines across the different meetings, while centralised contracts are to be introduced to ensure that all leading athletes take part. Each of the 32 disciplines will feature an 'IAAF Diamond Race', with points on offer throughout the season. The athlete with the most points at the end of the series will be presented with a four-carat diamond.

Lamine Diack, IAAF president, said: "The IAAF, in close association with the meeting directors, has come up with a new professional circuit which will offer an easily understandable series of meetings to provide world class entertainment and also offer the maximum number of competition opportunities for a maximum number of athletes in different events. "Thanks to the support of the meetings, we will be able to offer top class events that are based on solid financial foundations, provide the best organisational capability and serve to promote and develop the sport of athletics."