Usain Bolt in Melbourne for Nitro Athletics Series days after being stripped of Olympic gold medal

JUST days after being stripped of an Olympic gold medal the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, has arrived in Melbourne. And he’s looking to the future.

THE world’s fastest man has touched down in Melbourne.

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt arrived at Melbourne Airport on a flight from Los Angeles shorty before 9am this morning ahead of the start of the Nitro Athletics Series at Albert Park.

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An eight-time Olympic gold medallist and 11-time world champion, Bolt is the headline act for the series, which kicks off on Saturday before continuing on February 9 and 11.

Melbourne I'm here🙌🏽🙌🏽 @nitro_aths pic.twitter.com/hrY1tvXUBi

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) January 31, 2017

The 30-year-old said it was great to be back Down Under.

“It’s always good to be in Australia so I’m happy to be here as always,” Bolt said.

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“It (Nitro Athletics) is something that I’m looking forward to. I’ve been training, I’ve been getting ready, so I’m excited to (do) something different. I’m excited to meet my team and get going.”

Usain Bolt was in Melbourne for last year’s Spring Racing Carnival. Picture: Jason Edwards

Bolt’s arrival in Melbourne comes a week after he was stripped of one of his nine Olympic gold medals in a doping case involving 2008 Beijing Olympics 4x100m relay teammate Nesta Carter.

“Initially (I was) disappointed, of course,” Bolt said.

“But in life, things happen. I’m not sad, I’m waiting to see if Nesta is going to appeal or whatever. So right now I’m just waiting to see what’s going to happen but I gave up my medal so I’m just focused on here and I’m here at Nitro to run so I have to focus on that.”

Usain Bolt is looking forward to running in Melbourne. Picture: Alex Coppel

The Nitro Athletics Series will see teams from Australia, New Zealand, England, China and Japan compete against Usain Bolt’s All Stars team — a squad of athletes hand-picked by Bolt to compete alongside him.

Bolt tweeted on Monday: “Can’t wait for @nitro_aths” as he confirmed his final squad of 24 athletes.

Bolt celebrates winning the men's 100m final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Among those on Bolt’s team are Jamaican pair Asafa Powell and Michael Frater, Jenna Prandini and Ryan Wilson from the USA and Rio 400m hurdles gold medallist Kerron Clement.

Team Australia includes Rio 2016 Olympic finalists Morgan Mitchell, Genevieve LaCaze, Ryan Gregson and Fabrice Lapierre.

Jamaican relay teammate Nesta Carter and Bolt after the men's 4x100m relay final at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Picture: AP

Usain Bolt and Jennifer Hawkins with the Crown Oaks 2016 Cup. Picture: Jason Edwards

Originally published as Usain Bolt in Melbourne for Nitro Athletics Series days after being stripped of Olympic gold medal