Madrid - Spain - The IAAF World Cup in Athletics will be held in the United States for the first time ever in 2006.

Speaking at a Press Conference to promote the 2002 World Cup this morning in Madrid, President Diack said: "This decision had been made by the IAAF Council in July, but I think this is the right place to announce the news. A team competition involving the USA and the Rest of the World should work very well over there, and fits in with the IAAF's long-term strategy to help strengthen our sport in the USA."

The 2006 IAAF World Cup will be contested at The Home Depot National Training Center, a world-class 85-acre amateur and professional sports development currently under construction in the greater Los Angeles area.

"USATF has been working hard to bring an international meeting of this calibre to the United States," Said Craig Masback, the CEO of USA Track & Field. "We appreciate the support of the IAAF President and the high priority he has put on having major events in the US."

Five-time Olympic medallist Marion Jones, who was also at the Press Conference in Madrid, said: ""Every time I go back to California, it's like I'm going home," Jones said. "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."