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meet director blog - 3/9/10 E-mail

Today we had to release the news that we have pulled the women's hurdles race from the program.

The race was part of Hayley Butler's Commonwealth Games preparations but unfortunately for her we have had to take the pressure off her to allow her to focus on racing in Cairns before going to Dehli. We see her most days for training and we could just see the pressure from outside weighing her down, she was so excited to run in front of her home crowd, she has been of great interest to the Sydney media and has been part of promotion, she had plenty of people buying tickets to come out and support her. She did not want to let anyone down. You could see this in her face without her saying it, she kept saying how much she wanted to run and I have no doubt she could have raced as her recovery is going great and her enthusiasm for it was awesome but the decision had to be made for her. That weight is now off her shoulders. She is a remarkable person with unbelievable determination.

Just to make the Commonwealth Games team after a two and a half year lay off and 15 months after having her first baby shows you her character but if you could have seen her train during her recent injury set back you would understand the respect we have for her and the reason why I am writing this. Hayley has stress fractures in her feet healing with rest and treatment but is determine nothing will stop her. She has great medical support and is doing everything possible, she has a great coach in Penny Gillis who will no doubt know how to get her ready, she has received great support and positiveness from past great athletes who have experienced the same or a similar thing and has stayed positive in everything she does. She trained today in the gym and is completely pain free and has a real positive spring in her step. She hasn't stopped training and has worked even harder in every area but has had to lay off the track, I am shattered for her to miss this opportunity she was so looking forward to. Her positiveness towards the event hasn't changed though, she was busy today helping Laura Whaler prepare for her race  and discussing tactics in the gym with Jarryd Hayne on how he will race the Gatorade Bolt ' quest for Australia's fastest footballer'.

A special mention must go to Andrea Miller from New Zealand who was really looking forward to the hurdles event, Andrea sent a message to Hayley straight away wishing her a good recovery and was so understanding. Thank you Andrea for being such a good sport and showing a genuine care and respect for Hayley.

We have added the men's Mile to the program and is one race I can't wait to see. It is named after the great Albie Thomas and I look forward to seeing that 4 minute mile broken. I know it's been many years since that famous  barrier was broken but it is still just that .. a famous barrier...everybody still knows this barrier, the general public still know it but don't see it often. Let's hope our entrants can give the Sydney public an appreciation for why this barrier is so famous and the performances of runners like Albie Thomas and John Landy are so legendary. Jeremy Roff is very excited to honour Albie Thomas in this pre Commonwealth games hit out for him and Albie is honoured to have runners performing in a race named after him. This event will sure be a crowd favourite!

 

Not long to go!...

 

Hayden Knowles

 
 
meet director blog 30/08/10 E-mail

Not long to go and I just wanted to jump on and express how positive everything is! Anywhere from a phone call from the president of Athletics Australia Rob Fildes this week assuring me of his 100% support down to the president of Dani Samuels old Little Athletic Club (Greystanes Little Athletics) Darren Hudson texting me today needing more tickets as his club is getting right behind their athlete and the event, his words were to me "we are a passionate little club and very proud of Dani and we will be there" Dani is away and doesn't know this yet but she will love this!

A phone call from Usain Bolt's team to offer any ways to help before they get here. They have enthusiasm for the event  that will definately show in 16 days time.

Phone calls from Aussie athletes past and present to offer any ways to help. I am taking anyone who is positive. E.g Jeremy Roff asked for a mile to be put on, we spoke for about 2 minutes but in that short time he gave me clear evidence of the positive energy I want for this event. The guy loves to run, he loves to promote his sport and he wanted a hit out before Dehli . I will announce it here that it is now on the program. Competition manager Andrew Mathews is currently fitting it into the run sheet and I can't wait to see the race. The race is being named after the great Albie Thomas! He has said he is honoured and I know the running community will be as honoured to do this for him. Thank you Jeremy! Look forward to announcing the field soon.

Fabrice Lapierre is eagerly awaiting the night, I've had phone calls today from his best mate asking for more tickets for his family and friends, they can't wait to see him home again and are going to do everything possible to create an atmosphere that could see him break Jai Taurima's national record set at the Sydney Olympics.

Danny Green who has supported me with some of our countries best athletes has called today very excited to be given lane 3 alongside Usain Bolt in lane 4 in the Gatorade Celebrity relay. He can't wait to get here for the night and also confirmed his attendance at the World Champions charity ball on the following night (16th Sept)

If you love the sport or just a lover of sport in general spread the word and we'll see you soon!

 

Hayden Knowles

 
 
Meet Director Blog 11/08/10 E-mail

11/08/10

Today the phone rang hot with news of Usain's season ending early, this was never effecting his trip to Australia but media reports and a bit of speculation lead to plenty of interest which is only natural...whenever Bolt does anything it is world wide news but now the anticpation is building around his Australia visit it is only natural to have people curious of how he is. An early morning phone call with Norman Peart (Usain manager) and he tells me nothing changes with his visit here. He can't wait to be here! He can't wait to see Australia's athletes and also footballers race in the race named in his honour the 'gatorade Bolt'. We talk about all his involvement on and off the track and where to holiday, he tells me how happy he is the charity dinner is going ahead and also requests ...make sure he sees a kangaroo!

I had a great phone conversation with Courtney Dempsey from Essendon AFL football club tonight. John Quinn had told me he was a great kid and a tremendous athlete who John worked with at Essendon for several years and who he recommends joins the football race representing the AFL code against the likes of Jaryd Hayne, Greg Inglis, Josh Morris and Nathan Gardner from the NRL. I truly enjoyed the enthuisiasm he showed in being a part of this, he can't wait to get to Sydney to meet Bolt and I can't wait to officially give him a lane. Usain is going to spend the afternoon with the footballers and conduct a quick coaching session with them, this is the most sought after coaching session in world sport and Courtney deserves to be there, his respect for this opportunity will be paid back ten fold from us as event organisers and no doubt Usain himself. Courtney wanted to do something for charity also around the event which is great, as do all of the players I have spoken with. I met with Josh Morris  today who is pretty close with camp quality so he nominated them as his charity and also said he can't wait for the coaching session, the Gatorade Bolt and the chance to meet Usain. Josh is another quality person who truly deserves the opportunity.

All footballers competing in the race will soon be announced.
 
Meet Director - Blog E-mail

20/07/10

At the time of writing this first blog we have 2 months to go until you see some of Australia's best athletes presented in a format like you have never seen before. Count the weeks down until you will also see the world's greatest athlete land in Sydney. Usain Bolt will set the city alight. There would not be a person in Sydney who does not appreciate this rare opportunity of welcoming Usain Bolt in our country and welcoming him onto your home track in Sydney as I do.... Usain has been fuelled by Gatorade his whole career and we are grateful to them for 'fuelling' this project as they launch the new Gatorade Bolt product come September. Usain's management team have been simply great to deal with,the nightly phone calls with Norman Peart at either midnight our time or midnight his time have been enjoyable but at times the lack of sleep we have both experienced has been challenging but we both know will be worth it! He and Usain are as comitted to making this night as entertaining and inspirational as we are. He wants to inspire every young person in our country and entertain every single person. He will also do some charity work while out here as well as experience a holiday in our great country.

This brings me to mentioning the people there at Gatorade, Darren Fullerton, thank you and your team. They are top class and the honesty and transparency shown in all discussions has been a pleasure to work with. The enthusiasm from Kim and her staff at making this project work best for the people of Sydney has shown in every part of the planning that has taken place.

To my team, I am very fortunate to have some of the best marketing and events people in the country, some of the best athletic minds in the country, some of the best business minds and advisors in the country who are  showing  enthusiasm that is infectious. Working with them is an absolute pleasure and we enjoy the journey towards September 15. Every person on my team has committed to making this a show that will be remembered forever.The stadium is going to rock! There are too many people to mention in this first blog but I will start to feature in future blogs the people involved who all deserve recognition for providing this rare night of entertainment.

Every single athlete is pumped! We should all thank them for this energy. There is not an athlete who even considered not being involved... We have athletes who are travelling from America, coming back from Europe, travelling interstate, travelling from JAMAICA! Every single athlete can not wait. We have athletes who want to feel the support from the public that they will take to Dehli two weeks later and represent their country. We have some of the best athletes across the football codes who can't wait to step on the track. Some of the support we have had from former athletes has been enormous in particular from two of the greats Melinda Gainsford-Taylor and Matt Shirvington. All the athletic associations have given support, LANSW,ANSW and AA and in future blogs I will have time to feature all athlete's, former athletes, staff who's positive attitudes we are combining to make this event what it will become.

To the people at Sydney Olympic Park Authority, from the board of directors to the staff at the Athletic Centre. Everything about that whole place is nothing but professional and an absolute pleasure to work with. Ross Coggen's commitment to making this an event that will be remembered has been the key to starting and driving this project, for that I want to thank him here first . I guarantee photo's from this night will hang on your office walls forever.

Competitive Edge Aust Pty. Ltd has a mission on the night ' to inspire and entertain '

If you have read all the way to the end of this blog I believe you have the positive energy we want so I guess I'll be seeing you again here to stay in touch and of course catching up on Sept 15.

Hayden Knowles