Rome will be hosting the second stage of the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) golden league championships at the Stadio Olimpico on Fri 2 July, 14.30-23.00. At stake is $1 million jackpot to be shared between athletes who win all their individual events at every golden league meeting plus the world athletics final in Monaco, Monte-Carlo on 18-19 Sept 2004.

There will be 12 events at the meet, six each for men and women: men; 200m, 800m, 1500m, 400m hurdles, triple jump, discus throw: women; 100m, 400m, 1500m, 3000m/5000m, 100m hurdles, high jump.

The first of the six meeting series for 2004 took place in the city of Bergen in Norway on Fri 11 June. This action-packed meet saw fans treated to a new world record by Turkish athlete Elvan Abeylegesse who smashed the 5000m women's record by close to 4 seconds to a new world record of 14:24.68 min.

The star attraction will be Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, the new world record holder in the 10,000m.

The Golden Gala in Rome comes at a time when most athletes are preparing for the Athens, Greece 2004 Olympics in August and they will use the meet as part of their preparations so it promises to be a competitive affair for great viewing.

Tickets cost from 3 to 15 euros. For information tel.0636856149, www.goldengala.it.