Usain Bolt will race in Australia for the first time this summer as part of Nitro Athletics, a new athletics competition series launched in Southbank, Melbourne, today.
Nitro Athletics Melbourne will take place at Lakeside Stadium over three nights between February 4 and 11, 2017. Australian athletes will race in teams alongside international athletes in a new competition format. The events will feature “a mix of power, endurance, technique and teamwork disciplines across sprints, distance, field and para-athletics” both in individual and relay races.
Bolt, who was at the launch with Australian athletes Morgan Mitchell and Anneliese Rubie, said, “this will be track and field as it’s never been seen before”. He will compete and captain his team, the Bolt All-Stars. Five other teams will compete in the event, with a total of 24 athletes (12 women and 12 men) taking part in the series.
No further details about the other athletes or teams were available today, but Athletics Australia says further program and athlete details will be announced in the lead up to the event.
According to Athletics Australia, the aim of Nitro Athletics is to broaden the scope of the sport in the country, attract new audiences and to assert Australia’s place on the global athletics map.
Athletics fans can register for tickets now at www.nitroathletics.com.au
