Kenyan superstar David Rudisha will step up preparations for the defence of his Olympic 800m title by returning to Australia for a fifth time.
Rudisha has been a regular drawcard at the Melbourne World Challenge meet in recent years, but this year will also add the Perth Track Classic on March 12 to his schedule.
The 27-year-old is the reigning Olympic and world champion and the world record holder over 800m.
His presence will also help leading Australian middle distance runners such as Jeff Riseley, Alex Rowe and Joshua Ralph in their bids to better the 800m qualifying standard of one minute 46.0 seconds for the Rio Olympics.
"I'm really looking forward to getting back to Australia. It has played such an important part in my program over the years and, as I ready for the Olympic Games again, I am keen to duplicate the same situations that worked in 2012," Rudisha said.
"Australia has some good 800m runners and some of them are still looking to qualify for Rio.
"I'm sure we will have a good race and, if I can assist in improving the qualifying opportunities for some of the younger runners, then I am happy."
Other confirmed international starters for the upcoming Australian meets include Jamaican 400m hurdler Kaliese Spencer, New Zealand shot putter Tom Walsh and Kenyan middle-distance runner James Magut.
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