Goodwill Games

For Release: January 10, 2000

Romero Britto to Unveil the Official Artwork for the 2000 Winter Goodwill Games at Benihana New York

After an extensive search, pop artist Romero Britto has been chosen as the official artist for the first-ever Winter Goodwill Games, to be held in Lake Placid, NY from February 17-20, 2000 (Opening Celebration on the 16th). His piece for the Goodwill Games, titled, The Spirit of Winter will be unveiled at a gala reception at Benihana New York on West 56th Street in Manhattan on Monday, January 10. Expected to attend the unveiling are Time Warner Chairman Gerald Levin, Goodwill Games President Mike Plant and Olympic Champions Dan Jansen and Oksana Baiul.

Brazilian-born Britto achieved striking success in 1999 with an exhibit in May at the prestigious October Gallery in London, and official artist designations for both the 1999 Montreux Jazz Festival and the "Grand Slam for Children" event founded by tennis champion Andre Agassi. Britto burst on the international art scene a decade ago as the showcase artist for Absolut Vodka. He is known for his whimsical style and his dedication to pop art.

"For this first Winter Goodwill Games, we wanted someone who could capture our enthusiasm for the event.," said Plant. "Britto's vivid use of color and style really portrays our hope and our vision for this inaugural event."

"I am delighted to be the official artist of the 2000 Winter Goodwill Games," said Britto. "The spirit of the Goodwill Games and their commitment to children are the same principles which inspire me as an artist. I am grateful to Time Warner, Ted Turner and Gerald Levin for their generosity to me and my art."

"Benihana is proud to host and sponsor the unveiling of Mr. Britto's artwork for the Winter Goodwill Games," said Kevin Aoki, vice president of marketing for Benihana and son to founder Rocky Aoki, a 1960 Olympic wrestler for his home country of Japan. "The fact that the Goodwill Games provide the world's best athletes with a global stage, fits perfectly with Benihana's philosophy of 'One Planet - One People' " added Aoki.

The Winter Goodwill Games, with 16 hours of coverage to air on TNT, will feature 11 winter sports: alpine skiing, bobsled, cross-country skiing, figure skating, freestyle skiing, luge, nordic combined, short-track speedskating, skeleton, ski jumping and snowboarding.

Tickets for Winter Goodwill Games can be purchased by visiting or calling the Olympic Center Box Office, at 518.523.3330; through Ticketmaster�, at (518).476-1000 or (802).862-5300; and via the Internet, www.goodwillgames.com or www.tickets.com. Tickets are also available through all usual ORDA ticket outlets.

The Goodwill Games were founded by Time Warner Inc. Vice Chairman R.E. Turner in 1986 to ensure that the world's best athletes have the opportunity to compete in world class competition. The four previous Goodwill Games have alternated between the United States and Russia; however, future Games will be staged in countries around the world in both winter and summer formats. In addition to the Winter Goodwill Games, plans are underway for the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. TNT is the host network for both events. Goodwill Games, Inc., is a division of Turner Sports, the sports programming and production business unit of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

CONTACTS:

Liz Derringer

Derringer & Weitz Communication

212-769-8980

Amy Phillips

Goodwill Games

404-827-4696

Shira Kallus

Dan Klores Associates

212-981-5204

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