World-famous, multi-award-winning athlete Usain Bolt will be lacing up his trainers on Saturday at Expo 2020 Dubai, as part of a 1.45-kilometre family run to raise funds for charity.
The 11-time world champion and eight-time Olympic gold medalist has teamed up with Gatorade and the Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub at Expo, for the event, which will benefit Al Noor Rehabilitation & Welfare Association for People of Determination.
The run is open to people of all ages and abilities. It’s free to join, although participants are encouraged to donate to the cause. You also need to pre-register online to save a space at the starting line.
The Jamaican runner, who holds numerous world records and is widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time, will also meet some of his biggest fans after the event at the Gatorade the Bolt pavilion, located in the Mobility District. Fans are invited to learn more about a competition to meet Bolt in person through Gatorade Arabia’s Instagram page.
"Sports has the enduring power to bring people, communities and nations together so we are honoured that Usain has agreed to be a part of the Run the World event and are confident that it will encourage many people to run for their own good causes,” said Sholto Douglas-Home, chief marketing, communication and sales officer for Expo 2020 Dubai.
One of those who will be running with Bolt is Emirati athlete Hamda Hosani, who has 17 Special Olympic medals under her belt. Hosani, who has epilepsy, works to encourage children to embrace spot and challenge misconceptions around differently abled athletes. She met Bolt on a surprise Zoom call ahead of his visit, when he invited her to run alongside him at the event.
See photos of Riverdance at Expo, which started its month-long residency this weekend:
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The celebrated Irish dance ensemble Riverdance took to the stage at Expo 2020's Jubilee Park on Wednesday. All photos by Victor Besa / The National -
It marked the start of a month-long residency at the world's fair. -
A total of 22 shows will be performed at Jubilee Park. -
Twenty pop-up shows will also take place in various locations across the Expo site. -
Expo 2020 Dubai marks Riverdance’s first performance outside Ireland and the UK since shows resumed there in August. -
The cast and crew are raring to go. -
The special Expo production includes musicians and instruments from the Mena region. -
Throughout November, the Riverdance crew is holding auditions and 46 masterclasses at the Irish Pavilion, where one lucky participant will be selected to make their debut as a Riverdance member for the final Jubilee Park show on Saturday, November 27. -
Pictured ahead of the premiere of Riverdance at Expo 2020 Bill Whelan (Composer), left, and JohnMcColgan (Co-Founder) from Riverdance at the Ireland pavilion. Victor Besa/The National.
