MOSCOW, Sept 19: A million dollar sprint featuring the Olympic, world and European 100 metre champions and the world record holder is the highlight of a glamorous and highly lucrative Moscow athletics meeting on Saturday.

The winner of the 100 metres will scoop $500,000, with another $500,000 being distributed through the rest of the field. In total $2 million in prize money is up for grabs — a reward that organisers say is the biggest ever.

World champion Kim Collins from St Kitts and Nevis, who collected $60,000 for winning his title in Paris last month, will take on world-record-holder Tim Montgomery, Olympic champion Maurice Greene and European champion Dwain Chambers.

Placards around the city advertise an evening of sport and culture, with pop stars also performing in the stadium.

The big promises seem to have attracted the athletes to the new event in a city that is bidding to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

Other world champions planning to compete include Moroccan 1,500 metre star Hicham El Guerrouj and Swedish triple jumper Christian Olsson.—Reuters