London Olympic Games 2012Track and Field at The Olympic Stadium London , Australia's Mitchell Watt celebrates winning silver in the final of the mens long jumpPhoto Pat Scala The Age Saturday the 4th of August 2012
GLENDALE'S Hunter Sports Centre is gearing up to host one of the most high-profile athletes ever to set foot on the track.
London Olympic Games and World Championships silver medallist Mitchell Watt has confirmed he will participate in the Hunter Region's annual track and field showcase event, the Hunter Track Classic, on February 2.
It will be the first appearance by the talented long-jumper at the iconic annual Hunter meet, organised by Athletics NSW, which forms part of Athletics Australia's National Athletics Series.
"I've never visited the Newcastle area before," Watt said.
"I'm good friends with Benn Harradine and he has been talking up the place as well as the meet itself. It sounds like a great location to visit so I can't wait.
Watt comes to the Hunter Track Classic looking to use the meet as a platform to launch his campaign to win the gold medal at the World Championships, to be held in Moscow in August.
"I'm looking forward to taking part. Over the past few years the Hunter Track Classic has been gaining momentum," Watt said.
"I streamed it on my computer last year and enjoyed watching the action," he said.
Watt is looking forward to jumping off against the likes of home-grown international long-jumper Shaun Fletcher and Adam Rabone.