Usain Bolt to visit New Zealand

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Jamaican Athlete Usain Bolt poses on the pitch prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on August 25, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Wellington, Sep 11 (IANS/CMC) World and Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt will visit New Zealand next month through his association with a sports drink.

Hot on the heels of his stunning Olympics campaign in London, Bolt will be in the country Oct 8 to promote Gatorade sports drink, CMC reports.

A company spokeswoman says they haven’t yet confirmed how long Bolt, who they have sponsored for the past four years, will be in the country.

“We are unbelievably excited to bring the fastest man on earth to New Zealand,” declared Mark Callaghan, Chief executive, Frucor Beverages.

“Coming off his recent performance, Usain well and truly earned his place in history as the fastest sprinter to ever compete.”

The Jamaican, who won the 100m and 200m double at the London Olympics as he did four years ago in Beijing, is sponsored by Gatorade, which is being launched in New Zealand.

“New Zealand is a relatively new market for the brand,” said Callaghan. “And we’re looking forward to launching Gatorade in an exciting way with Usain’s visit.”

The charismatic 26-year-old athlete is no stranger to celebrity endorsements.

He is already an ambassador for sport’s wear giant Puma, believed to be worth $9 million annually, and recently impersonated Richard Branson in an advertisement for Virgin Media.