Usain Bolt will not only run in Australia early next year but has also committed to come to Australia for the next three years to support the new Nitro Athletics series.
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Bolt is a strong supporter of Nitro and has taken an equity share in the company which runs the series as a subsidiary of Athletics Australia.
In his first races here the world's fastest man wants to run with Australia's fastest boy. Bolt wants Jack Hale to be on his team for Nitro in Melbourne in February next year.
Bolt will have his own team in the Nitro series - the Bolt All Stars - and it is understood Hale is one of the emerging stars he wants on his team.
"Jack is definitely one of them [emerging athletes who could be picked for Nitro]," said Nitro front man and Athletics Australia board member, John Steffensen.
"I like Jack. His swagger is Mick Jagger. I love his spunk, his attitude - it's what makes him successful."
Asked if Hale could run against or with Bolt, Steffensen replied: "I bet Usain picks him, I tell you that. I think he might find himself on the Bolt All Stars. They are decisions to finalise, but Jack is definitely one [in the frame]."
Australia will have two teams in Nitro with England, China, Japan and probably the US fielding teams along with Bolt's All Stars. Each team of 24 will have 12 men and 12 women.
AA chief executive Phil Jones said recently that although high-profile athletes Michelle Jenneke and Melissa Breen had lost athlete funding that was distinct from Nitro and would be no impediment to them being involved.
Steffensen agreed and said AA needed to better manage athletes such as Jenneke and Breen to get more out of them. He felt Breen should be helped to get to the next level and Jenneke was such an important asset for athletics they needed to understand how to work with her.
"It's our role to understand why and make them better, not criticise and as soon as they do not perform kick them to the curb," he said.
"Michelle is a property which is valuable, which is her brand of Michelle Jenneke and it's important for the sport.
"It's up to us to work on the performance side and say 'Michelle what is the balance here? What is your vocation? Are you in the sport because you enjoy it, it's entertainment? Or are you in the sport because you are trying to be an Olympic gold medallist'? And then to work with her through that process and get the right people behind her."
