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Australia is trying to make a deal with the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt to feature in the domestic Twenty20
cricket competition and Australia track and field meets in Perth on March
16 and the Victorian capital on April 6.
The committee is working with Eddie
McGuire, President of Big Bash League outfit Melbourne Stars to make it
happen, and is offering Bolt $300,000
appearance fee for the track meet.
While Bolt
was vacationing in Melbourne earlier this month, McGuire met the sprinter's agent Ricky Simms to strike a deal.
"There have been conversations to see what it would take to get him
here. If it's not this season it could be next," a source said.
Organizers believe Bolt would be an asset in participating in the
meet as this would guarantee packed stadiums for the two meets
Bolt is also flirting with the idea of adding long jump to his track resume
as early as next year, but he is having concern that
his preparation for the event could make him more susceptible to knee injuries.
"We will sit down and evaluate if we want to do it," Bolt
said.
"Because if I do it, I may jeopardise my opportunity to come to Rio, so I may not do long jump. It concerns
me. We will look over and see if it is possible."
Others on Athletics Australia's hit list include South African blade
runner Oscar Pistorius, former
Olympic long jump champion Dwight Phillips
and South African Godfrey Mokena.
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