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Events and Attractions

Usain Bolt-Headlined Nitro Series Debuts With Successful Melbourne Event

The Nitro Series had its first meeting in Melbourne on Saturday, according to Ian Ransom of REUTERS. Usain Bolt's first run of the year and first in Australia "brought the curtain down on opening night of the Series, which has pledged to 'revolutionize' athletics with a team-based event." Organizers "hope the series can reinvigorate the sport by shaking up the traditional schedule of events -- and sprinkling some star-dust from marquee man Bolt." Bolt was paid a seven-figure appearance fee to "commit to all three meetings in the inaugural series in Melbourne this month and given a stake in the company running the event." Bolt's appearance "helped secure a clutch of big names for the event," with American former Olympic 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement running in Bolt's All-Stars team that won the overall event ahead of Australia. The meeting carried on "with troupes of dancers gyrating to electronic music in front of an enthusiastic crowd of about 7,000." Athletics Australia President Mark Arbib said, "It's not an understatement to say that we wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Usain Bolt and his management. Usain Bolt and (agent) Ricky Simms have not just put their name to it, and are not just taking part, they have taken a stake in the business itself. They’ve promoted it, selected the Bolt All-Star team, they’ve put their own IP (intellectual property) into the All-Stars, they’re building a significant commercial asset." The crowd was "lower than the 8,500 stadium capacity but total tickets sold over the three nights of the series had comfortably outstripped those sold for the entire program of national athletics events last year." They hope to "take the series overseas and have targeted a slot in England after the world championships" (REUTERS, 2/4).

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