Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt's 100 metres race with Jamaican compatriot Asafa Powell is proof the Diamond League will bring athletics to centre stage, an official of the new circuit said.

According to Patrick Magyar, vice chairman of the Diamond League board and organiser of the Zurich meeting, the series will be for athletics what Formula One is to motor racing and the grand slam is to tennis.

"If you want to see the best, you are going to watch the Diamond League and the big championships," Magyar said.

Bolt and Powell, the current and former 100 metres world record holders, will go head-to-head on July 16 in Paris, organisers said on Monday in the first announced key match-up for the Diamond League.

"There will be more," said Magyar, who was instrumental in forming the 14-meeting global circuit which launches May 14 in Doha.

Bolt, American record holder Tyson Gay and Powell - the three fastest men ever over 100 metres - are under contract to make seven Diamond League appearances with one guaranteed to compete in each of the 14 meetings.

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