Thursday, April 08, 2010

'World's fastest man' Usain Bolt to compete at USA vs. The World at the Penn Relays

INDIANAPOLIS - One of the world's most celebrated and recognizable athletes, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, will compete April 24 at the 2010 USA vs. The World at the Penn Relays at historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Widely recognized for its unrivaled history and tradition, the Penn Relays Carnival is one of the oldest and longest-running track and field events in the world.

The first event of USA Track & Field's 2010 Outdoor Visa Championship Series, USA vs. The World at the 116th Penn Relays will be televised on ESPN2 on Saturday, April 24, from 8-10 p.m. Eastern Time.

Bolt, who will compete for Jamaica in the 4x100m relay at Penn, was named the IAAF 2009 World Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row after winning the 100m and 200m finals in world record times at the World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, which matched his sprint double at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Bolt's finals performances in Berlin, 9.58 in the 100 meters and 19.19 in the 200m, bettered the world records he set in the Olympic finals in Beijing of 9.69 and 19.30.

Also known for his prowess in relay competition, Bolt teamed up with his Jamaican compatriots Steve Mullings, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell in winning the men's 4x100m relay gold medal at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in the meet record time of 37.31 seconds. He was part of the Jamaican world-record setting 4x100m relay at the 2008 Olympics as well (37.10).

In its remarkable 10-year run, where Team USA has won 50 of the 60 races contested throughout the series, USA vs. The World has provided countless thrills and unforgettable moments in front of many of the largest crowds in the glorious history of The Penn Relays. The event has featured such all-time greats as Michael Johnson, Allyson Felix, Maurice Greene, Sanya Richards, Bernard Lagat, Lauryn Williams, Tyson Gay, Torri Edwards, Angelo Taylor and Carmelita Jeter.

USA vs. The World since 2000 has brought the best relay teams from around the globe to Philadelphia to compete at one of the world's premier track and field events. Participating countries have included Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Great Britain, Russia, Australia, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Netherlands Antilles, Kenya, Germany, Bahamas, South Africa and Nigeria among others.

To purchase tickets for the 2010 USA vs. The World at the Penn Relays, dial the Penn Relays' 24-hour hotline (1-888-PENN-TIX...USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa) - or visit: http://www.thepennrelays.com.

For more information on the 2010 USA vs. The World at the Penn Relays and the 2010 Visa Championship Series, visit:www.visachampionshipseries.com.

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