Usain Bolt to headline Melbourne’s Nitro Athletics event

Multiple Olympic Gold medal winner Usain Bolt is to compete in and captain the ‘Bolt All-Stars’ in Nitro Athletics, a new sports entertainment series that will see the stars of Australian and international athletics compete across three nights at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium in February 2017.

Billed as an event that will “revolutionise global track and field”, Nitro Athletics will present a spin on traditional athletics with a mix of power, endurance, technique and teamwork disciplines across sprints, distance, field and para-athletics events.

Mixed events and relays will also feature in the Nitro program as teams of 24 athletes, equally split between men and women, battle for points and the Nitro Athletics Melbourne crown.

Backed by the Victorian Government, Nitro Athletics Melbourne will be broadcast live on the Seven Network and will be staged on Saturday 4th and Thursday 9th, with a final on Saturday 11th February.

Commenting on the concept, Athletics Australia President Mark Arbib stated “Nitro Athletics is the sports entertainment product track and field needs to move athletics beyond the existing format of one day athletics meets.

“Nitro Athletics will be the catalyst that will change how athletics is presented. It’s a game-changer for athletics and Athletics Australia. We want to start the global reinvigoration of athletics right here in Australia.”

Night one and the final of Nitro Athletics Melbourne will feature the same program with the Thursday night program offering a selection of alternative events.

Nine-time Olympic gold medallist and 100 metre and 200 metre world record holder Bolt said Nitro Athletics was the concept desperately needed to take athletics into the future, stating “this will be track and field as it’s never been seen before and that’s why I’m involved, not only as a competitor, but also as a team captain.

“Nitro Athletics is what track and field needs - a fresh way to present the sport and I can’t wait to be back in Melbourne to share Nitro Athletics with the fans in February.”

As the face of the event, Bolt will earn a $1 million appearance fee.

Sponsors for the inaugural event are due to be announced shortly.

Images: Usain Bolt (top) and the Lakeside Stadium (below).

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