Let's look at how the individual Diamond League races might play out, with just three meets to go. The meets and their events (with London's second day a work in progress):

London    m100, 400, 1500, St, 110H, 400H,

(August 13-14)   HJ, PV, LJ, TJ, SP, DT, JT

        w200, 400, 800, 1500, St, 5000, 100H,

            400H, HJ, LJ, TJ, SP, DT, JT

Zürich    m200, 400, St, 5000, 110H, HJ, LJ, DT

(August 19)        w100, 400, 1500, 400H, PV, TJ, SP, JT

Brussels    m100, 800, 1500, 400H, PV, TJ, SP, JT

(August 27)        w200, 800, St, 5000, 100H, HJ, LJ, DT

In London the first 3 placers score points on a 4-2-1 basis. In the two final meets, Zürich and Brussels, the points double (8-4-2).

Here are some scenarios. They're by no means all-inclusive, but should give a decent idea of some likely outcomes.

If athletes are tied in points at the end the first tiebreaker is number of DL events won during the course of the season; the second is winning in the final competition.

13 athletes (Walter Dix 200, Jeremy Wariner 400, David Oliver 110 hurdles, Bershawn Jackson 400 hurdles, Renaud Lavillenie pole vault, Christian Cantwell shot, Andreas Thorkildsen javelin; Carmelita Jeter 100, Allyson Felix 200, Nancy Langat 1500, Milcah Chemos steeplechase, Blanka Vlasic high jump, Yarelis Barrios discus) have already clinched their events, and need only compete in the finale to win the big jackpot.