IMG to take innovative new athletics series global

The IMG agency has agreed a deal to represent and sell the global media rights for Nitro Athletics, a new sports entertainment series pioneered by Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt.

The series will make its debut across three nights on February 4, 9 and 11 at the Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Nitro Athletics Melbourne will feature six teams of 24 athletes, with an equal split between men and women. Teams will come from Australia and abroad.

IMG will work alongside the Athletics Australia national governing body and domestic commercial broadcaster Seven, which will serve as host broadcaster for the inaugural event. 

Organisers have said Nitro Athletics will provide a spin on traditional athletics events, focusing on athletic power, endurance, technique and teamwork through a number of disciplines across sprint, distance, field and para-athletics competitions.

IMG will also market the global rights to future Nitro Athletics meetings, with at least one more event planned for this year and four or five expected in 2018 and 2019.

In addition to Bolt (pictured), the series has secured the support of a number of other major names from the world of professional athletics, such as Jamaican Asafa Powell, Christine Ohuruogu from the UK and US star Dawn Harper-Nelson.