The proposed two-day IAAF World Relays will bring together the world's best athletes, with a schedule that includes the traditional 4x100 metres (pictured top) and 4x400m events along with 4x200m, 4x800m and 4x1,500m races.

Lamine Diack, the IAAF President, commented: "The wonderful athletics competition in London has not only reinforced the appeal of our sport but specifically the popularity of relay races, which the spectators find dramatic and exciting.

"We are confident that this new special event, at the beginning of the season, will really help us promote the sport further.

"We were delighted when the Bahamas stepped forward to host because this country is passionate about athletics and has a tremendous reputation in the relay races.

The Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in the Bahamas will host the inaugural IAAF World Relays competition

"We have received strong support and financial guarantees from the Government of the Bahamas which will help us, together with our partner, the Bahamas AAA, to deliver an excellent and exciting product."

The venue of the event is the 15,000-capacity Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in Nassau which will host the 2013 edition of the CARIFTA Games.

This event will be open to all IAAF member federations and there will be approximately $1.4 million (£893,000/€1.1 million) in prize money available.

The event will be broadcast around the world with the host broadcasting provided by the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas.

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