Bolt from the blue
Star confirmed as athletes village reveals some of its secrets
THE world’s greatest athlete, Usain Bolt, is coming to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
The retired Jamaican sprint superstar will attend the Games track finals in the second week of April as a celebrity spectator.
The flamboyant eighttime Olympic champion will become arguably the Coast Games’ biggest drawcard, overshadowing royalty including Prince Charles who will officially open the Games on April 4.
Bolt’s appearance was confirmed last night by Jamaica’s former 100m world champion Yohan Blake.
Games officials were trying to keep Bolt’s appearance under wraps but Blake let the cat out of the bag during a media sleepover at the Games athletes village.
“My friend Usain Bolt is coming as well, he’s coming to watch the 100m final,” Blake said.
Blake, who flew into Brisbane yesterday, said the Coast village was the most impressive he had seen.
“The colours are amazing, the facilities ... I love it,” he said.
“It’s going to be a great Games, we’re going to have a lot of fun,” he said.
Other celebrities invited include Margot Robbie, Chris Hemsworth, Miranda Kerr, Greg Norman and Mick Fanning.
Some athletes may be having more fun than others, with bowls of condoms placed poolside ready for their arrival next weekend.
The condom bowls were on display during a media tour of the $550 million athletes village yesterday.
The village boasts four plush swimming pools (complete with hammocks, bean bags and deck chairs) for athletes to frolic in between competition.
With a XXXX bar and even a TAFE student-run beauty salon to have athletes looking their best, officials are wellprepared for village hook-ups.
Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning weightlifter Damon Kelly is married with three kids and said he would not be involved in any village dalliances.
“But I have heard stories about it happening,” the Brisbane athlete said with a laugh. “I won’t be dipping into the condom bowl but I’m sure the other athletes will be getting into them.”
But athletes in a rush for romance may be frustrated at only one small, slow lift in each residential building.
The athletes’ Chinesemade single beds are also compact and just 1.86m long, but Games chairman Peter Beattie said the beds could be extended to accommodate taller athletes.