DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Drake Relays begin this week with best field in recent memory. The annual Iowa meet and new sponsor Hy-Vee, a grocery store chain, came up with the idea of staging as many rematches of the 2012 London Games as possible to better compete with the more prestigious Penn Relays.

The lure of a $50,000 purse for elite invitational races and $25,000 for special field events has drawn 19 medalists from the London Olympics to Des Moines, including the gold, silver and bronze medalists from the 110-meter hurdles.

The 104th Drake Relays crowns its first winners on Thursday and concludes Sunday. It’s Friday and Saturday that are stacked with events featuring the Olympians.