In the Trans-Tasman rivalry at the Rio Olympic Games, New Zealand came out on top of Australia on the athletics medal table. Kiwis walked away from Rio with four medals (one silver, three bronze) while the Aussies managed to snatch two medals (one silver, one bronze).
The traditional rivalry is set to flare up once again at the inaugural Nitro Athletics Melbourne where the New Zealand Nitro Athletics Team will look to challenge Australias traditional dominance and take the battle to teams from England, China, Japan and the Bolt All Stars in the Australian athletics capital at Lakeside Stadium for three nights in February.
Nitro Athletics Melbourne will be staged on Saturday 4th and Thursday 9th, with a final on Saturday 11th February.
New Zealand athletes are no strangers to competing against their Trans-Tasman rivals, making regular forays chasing competition, qualifying marks and medals at their events, so the Nitro Series will renew old rivalries and create some new ones.
Athletics New Zealand Chief Executive Linda Hamersley said, "We are excited to be a part of this new concept in athletics, bringing a team-based aspect to the sport. We think that Nitro Athletics will be a success and provide a very entertaining product for the sporting public."
