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Bolt could head our way, if the money’s right
Dan Silkstone
August 6, 2009
Sprint king Usain Bolt.
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THE world’s fastest man could light up Melbourne in October if an ambitious plan to bring Usain Bolt to Australia comes to fruition.
Bolt’s management has approached major events bodies across the nation to bankroll an October visit to Australia as part of a planned world tour. The Jamaican hopes the global trip — following on from the world championships in Germany this month — will elevate him to the sort of iconic status enjoyed by Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.
Victoria’s Major Events Corporation has been approached, as have the equivalent bodies in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia. But while a decision has yet to be made, the $500,000 asking price is believed to be a sticking point.
Bolt, who lists former Australian opener Matthew Hayden as one of his sporting heroes, has already agreed to visit Africa, China and the Middle East on his world tour and is reportedly keen to include Australia.
But with the asking price set high, corporate backers are now being sought by Bolt’s management to help underwrite the trip.
Athletics Australia has declined to help bankroll the tour because it would fall outside of the Australian season and be based around promotional appearances rather than competitive meets.
But Australian officials plan to present a counter offer to Bolt’s management, hoping to entice him to compete in Australia during the local season, which runs through February and March.
‘‘We’d love for Usain Bolt to come to Australia,’’ Athletics Australia chief executive Danny Corcoran said yesterday.
‘‘He does have a strong interest in coming here and we will certainly be speaking to his management about doing that next year and seeing athletically when he wants to be competing.’’
The Jamaican grabbed global attention with his domination of the sprint events at Beijing, capturing headlines as he dismissively eased up short of the line in the 100 metres final and claimed the world record anyway. He was the first man since Carl Lewis to win gold in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 x 100 metres, and the first to break world records for all three in a single Games.
Bolt is a clear favourite to win gold in all three events in Berlin.
His management then plans the global tour to position their man as a superstar brand and coincide with the release of the sprinter’s biography.
His management is reportedly negotiating endorsement deals with some of the biggest corporate names, including Nokia, Rolex, Emirates, Vodafone and Virgin, all of whom would be possible contributors to any trip to Melbourne.
Dan Silkstone
August 6, 2009
Sprint king Usain Bolt.Latest related coverage
Advertisement
THE world’s fastest man could light up Melbourne in October if an ambitious plan to bring Usain Bolt to Australia comes to fruition.
Bolt’s management has approached major events bodies across the nation to bankroll an October visit to Australia as part of a planned world tour. The Jamaican hopes the global trip — following on from the world championships in Germany this month — will elevate him to the sort of iconic status enjoyed by Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.
Victoria’s Major Events Corporation has been approached, as have the equivalent bodies in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia. But while a decision has yet to be made, the $500,000 asking price is believed to be a sticking point.
Bolt, who lists former Australian opener Matthew Hayden as one of his sporting heroes, has already agreed to visit Africa, China and the Middle East on his world tour and is reportedly keen to include Australia.
But with the asking price set high, corporate backers are now being sought by Bolt’s management to help underwrite the trip.
Athletics Australia has declined to help bankroll the tour because it would fall outside of the Australian season and be based around promotional appearances rather than competitive meets.
But Australian officials plan to present a counter offer to Bolt’s management, hoping to entice him to compete in Australia during the local season, which runs through February and March.
‘‘We’d love for Usain Bolt to come to Australia,’’ Athletics Australia chief executive Danny Corcoran said yesterday.
‘‘He does have a strong interest in coming here and we will certainly be speaking to his management about doing that next year and seeing athletically when he wants to be competing.’’
The Jamaican grabbed global attention with his domination of the sprint events at Beijing, capturing headlines as he dismissively eased up short of the line in the 100 metres final and claimed the world record anyway. He was the first man since Carl Lewis to win gold in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 x 100 metres, and the first to break world records for all three in a single Games.
Bolt is a clear favourite to win gold in all three events in Berlin.
His management then plans the global tour to position their man as a superstar brand and coincide with the release of the sprinter’s biography.
His management is reportedly negotiating endorsement deals with some of the biggest corporate names, including Nokia, Rolex, Emirates, Vodafone and Virgin, all of whom would be possible contributors to any trip to Melbourne.
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