Olympian Morgan Mitchell is one of the stars on show at Nitro Athletics Melbourne.
Mitchell, from the Western Athletics stable, has become a major drawcard for Australian athletics, and is thrilled to be testing herself against the world’s best on home soil in the three-night athletics event at Lakeside Stadium.
“It’s pretty cool having Usain Bolt coming down, one of the greatest athletes ever,” Mitchell said before the first night’s running.
“They’re running a lot of different events that I have never done in my life. It’s a team-based event with points … something new for the track.”
The Nitro Athletics carnival kicked off with much fanfare on Saturday night, featuring six teams of 24 athletes (12 women and 12 men). Teams include Australia, Bolt All-Stars, England, New Zealand, China and Japan. The second stage takes place on Thursday, with the final night on Saturday.
It is the first major event for Mitchell in what she hopes is a busy calendar this year.
“Nationals for me are in March, and I’d like to win that again,” the two-time Australian 400 metre champion said. “Then qualifying for world champs in London.”
