Malmo, the fact is that track is suffering a lot for the current economic crisis. For organising a Diamond League meeting you need to have, at least, the following budget :
a) Official prizes for 17 events (plus 2 that the organisers can chose)(30,000 USD for event plus 4,500 USD for pacers in 5 middle distance events) = USD 533,500
b) Tickets at an average of 700 USD (this is the forfeit they pay in every Diamond League) for about 220 people (including managers and coaches) = USD 154,000
c) Full accommodation for 3 days at the rate of 200 USD per day (normally in Hotel having an official rate of 400 USD per day, but of course there is some agreement) meaning 600 USD per person = USD 132,000
d) Cost of promotion during the previous period =
USD 300,000
e) Appearances for the best athletes (if you want Bolt, not less than USD 150,000) = USD 300,000
f) Budget for emergencies = USD 100,000
The total is about 1,520,000 USD, but normally without a budget bigger than 2 millions is not possible to have a meeting of top level.
Where this money can come from ? Little percentage from the spectators (may be 200,000 / 300,000 USD). The most part from Television and sponsors.
Till some year ago, Banks were the main sponsors. Now, with some exception, Banks have problems in surviving, and cut every type of assistance in athletic.
This\' what happens in Europe. The situation is different in Asia, that at the moment is the area with more interest in organising top meetings, investing more money (especially China and South Korea), but Europe remains the center of the activity.
It\'s sad to say that, from your era, the money for the athletes went down.
This is a bad new for African runners especially, because in short time 70% of the current athletes couldn\'t have any market, and many of them must forget the dream to become runners as profession.