LA to host World Cup

Marion Jones is keen to race in her home town

Los Angeles will host the 2006 athletics World Cup as the IAAF looks to boost the profile of the sport in the United States.

IAAF president Lamine Diack and USA Track & Field chief Craig Masback made the announcement in Madrid on the eve of this year's World Cup.

"We felt it important to go to the United States," said Diack.

It will be one of the highlights of my career

Marion Jones

It will be the biggest track event on American soil since the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, and there will be changes to the current format.

The 2006 World Cup will take place over four days of the Labour Day weekend, with three days of competition and one day for an opening ceremony.

It was also revealed that a 30,000-seat stadium is currently under construction to host the event.

"This will be the best track meet ever to come the United States outside of the Olympics Games," said Masback.

"We want this to have the presence of the soccer World Cup."

"It's tremendously exciting to have an event of this quality and stature to come to the US."

Country v country

And Masback added that the World Cup would capture the attention of the US because it is a team-scoring event, featuring national and continental squads

"The American public understands country v country," he said. "Think Ryder Cup, what a big team event that has become on the US sports scene."

Triple Olympic champion and native of Los Angeles Marion Jones was delighted by the news.

"To get the chance to go back to the place of my birth for a major championship will be one of the highlights of my career," said Jones.