13.04.2010
Boldon races to Perth for national titles
Four-time Olympian and five-time world championships representative [b]Ato Boldon /b arrived in Australia last week, hosting an athletics forum and clinic alongside Nova Batman in Melbourne before heading west for this week’s Go for 2&5 88th Australian Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games selection trials.
Touring Australia to promote the message of healthy living and the importance of an active lifestyle on behalf of his Born to do it Foundation, Boldon inspired the many young athletes in attendance at last week’s clinic to take action in chasing their dreams.
[b]“The most important message that I can tell kids nowadays is that the Wii Fit doesn’t count as exercise,” Boldon said.
“To become Usain Bolt or Steve Hooker or whoever you want to be, you need to forget the Playstation, stop only talking about getting out there and actually do it.“Talking about being talented and wanting to become the next big thing is not going to get the job done.”[/b]
Following his brief stopover in Melbourne the most successful male individual Olympic sprint medallist of all time has now touched down in Perth for this week’s national titles, where he will again be joined by Olympic (hockey) and Commonwealth Games (athletics) gold medallist Batman as host of an athletics clinic for upwards of 350 Aboriginal children from across Western Australia.
Athletics Australia Indigenous Development Manager Sally McGrady said the opportunity for aspiring Australian athletes to work with the two sprint stars was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
“Ato is one of the sport’s greats and we are just thrilled to welcome him at such a busy time on the Australian athletics calendar,” McGrady said.
“The kids that he will work with across the country will get a real thrill out of learning from one of the best ever and open age athletes will relish the chance to train alongside him.”
Today’s clinic will offer a number of promising athletes the chance to train alongside the former greats as they prepare for the Go for 2&5 88th Australian Athletics Championships this weekend, with the training session developed to benefit members of the Jump Start to London program. THIS IS AN AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE FUNDED BY THE GOVT. kk
Boldon’s work will continue at the national tiles this Friday, April 16 at the all-new WA Athletics Stadium in Perth.