IMG will represent and sell the global media rights (excluding Australia) for Nitro Athletics, a new sports entertainment series pioneered by nine-time Olympic Gold Medalist Usain Bolt. The first event, Nitro Athletics Melbourne, will feature six national teams of 24 (12 men and 12 women) from England, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand with Bolt captaining his own multi-national All-Star team. The event will take place at the Lakeside Stadium on Feb. 4, 9 and 11. Another event is planned in '17, with four or five events expected in '18 and '19. IMG Media Australia Head of Sales & Operations Charlotte Brigel said that Nitro Athletics is an "exciting concept, and one that will give sport an entirely fresh perspective." Nitro Athletics will feature some of the world's top athletes, including Bolt, Asafa Powell (Jamaica), Christine Ohuruogu (U.K.), Michael Frater (Jamaica), Dawn Harper-Nelson (U.S.), Richard Thompson (Trinidad & Tobago), Jenna Prandini (U.S.) and Ryan Wilson (U.S.). IMG will work alongside Athletics Australia and Seven. Seven will be the host and domestic broadcaster in Australia, where the event will be shown on the Seven Network in primetime (IMG).
