Nitro Athletics: Genevieve LaCaze, Ryan Gregson lead Aussies into battle against Usain Bolt and co

THEY do everything together so it made sense that track and field’s glamour couple, Genevieve LaCaze and Ryan Gregson, continued doing the same for Nitro Athletics.

THEY do everything together so it made sense that track and field’s glamour couple, Genevieve LaCaze and Ryan Gregson, continued doing the same for Nitro Athletics.

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The pair were on Wednesday named as co-captains of the Australian team for Saturday night’s kick-off of the new event.

Exactly what the role entails is still to be nutted out but showing pride in the singlet will be a priority.

“It will be about us telling the guys that it’s a great opportunity to show your character, show people who you are,” Gregson said.

Aussie athletic power couple Ryan Gregson and Genevieve LaCaze.

“Mainly they just see us when we’re training hard or when we’ve just competed after a race at an Olympic Games, this is a good opportunity to show yourself to Australia.”

LaCaze (3000m steeplechase/5000m) and Gregson (1500m) are both coming off breakthrough seasons where they made the Olympic finals in Rio.

The Melbourne Track Club athletes, who just returned from a training block at Falls Creek, will be in familiar company with their coach Nic Bideau in charge of the Australian team.

Gregson will open Nitro in the mixed medley relay running the 800m leg while he’ll compete in the men’s mile on Thursday.

LaCaze will also be focusing on a various distance events and is excited about the new concept.

“I think the most interesting event will be the elimination mile because I can’t fathom how that’s going to play out,” she said.

“It will be interesting because there are so many different levels of ability in the field. Some might know they’re not the best sprinter and go out hard and set the pace.”

The pair have already made one decision in their new role, naming long-jumper Fabrice Lapierre as team manager.

Usain Bolt was straight into training in Melbourne.

“We had to make a position for Fabrice,” Gregson said.

“He needed to have a significant role. He asked for one so they formed a manager’s role.

“I asked the other day what events am I doing Fabrice, you’re the manager? He said ‘I just have to assess everything, I have the tactical genius of Jose Mourinho’.

“He referred to himself as Mourinho, so who knows, I might be in the shot put or the javelin.”