Kansas University officials have dubbed the featured portion of the Kansas Relays the Gold Zone.
Platinum Zone might have been more appropriate.
KU’s athletic department will spend almost $100,000 to lure such high-profile athletes as Maurice Greene and Marion Jones to the April 21-23 event at Memorial Stadium.
Olympic gold-medal sprinters Greene and Jones commanded, according to sources, more than $10,000 apiece to appear.
“We’ve definitely made a financial commitment to get these kinds of athletes here,” meet director Tim Weaver said.
At least 30 other former Olympians are expected, as well as thousands of high school and college athletes for the three-day track and field carnival.
The Gold Zone competition is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23.
