Goodwill Games

01/12/2001

Goodwill Games Confirms Surf Lifesaving Line-Up

The world's top surf lifesaving teams have confirmed they will compete in two days of gruelling competition at the 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane in September.

Teams of the best surf lifesavers from Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain and the United States have confirmed they will battle it out at Kurrawa Beach on the Gold Coast on September 1 and 2.

The teams were selected according to their ranking following the 2000 World Lifesaving Championships held in Sydney last March. The next world championships are not until 2004.

Their confirmation makes surf lifesaving the first of the 14 Goodwill Games sports to finalise its field.

Goodwill Games, Inc. President Mike Plant was pleased with the enthusiastic response to the 2001 Goodwill Games' invitation.

``To have 100 per cent acceptance at this stage from all of the world's top surf lifesaving teams is very thrilling for the Goodwill Games,'' Mr Plant said.

``Surf lifesaving is an exciting sport with a huge following in Australia. We're proud to give it exposure on a world stage and, hopefully, we can help them win over some new fans.''

2001 Goodwill Games Chief Executive Campbell Rose said it was the first time ever surf lifesaving would be featured in a major international multi-sport event.

``We are hoping surf lifesaving's inclusion in the 2001 Goodwill Games will prove a stepping stone to the sport's inclusion in such future events as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics,'' Mr Rose said.

``Not only is surf lifesaving one of Australia's most popular spectator sports, but with the Games being telecast in more than 100 countries throughout the world, its international profile will grow in leaps and bounds.''

The two-day contest will be free to spectators at Kurrawa Beach.

Surf Life Saving Australia spokesperson Grant Baldock said they were working closely with the Goodwill Games organisers towards what is hoped will mark a turning point for the sport.

``This is a significant step for Surf Life Saving Australia, being the first time surf lifesaving will be contested in an international multi-sport arena," he said.

``As reigning world champions, Australia will be keen to impress, but they will certainly face some tough competition from the other seven competing countries."

Each team, consisting of five men and four women, will compete in 12 individual events: mixed board rescue, beach sprint (m/w), surf race (m/w), surf board race (w), surf ski race (m), ironman/ironwoman, beach flags (m/w) and the lifesaver relay (swim, board, ski, run).

Medals will be awarded to all members of the top three teams, based on their overall point score, in addition to prize money that will be awarded to teams based on their placing for each day and their overall ranking.

The 2001 Goodwill Games will be held in Brisbane from August 29 to September 9 and will feature 14 sports over 12 days of competition, including athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, cycling (track), diving, figure ice skating, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, surf lifesaving, swimming, trampoline, triathlon and weightlifting.

In addition to the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, plans are underway for the 2005 Winter Goodwill Games in Calgary, Canada.

TNT is the host network for both events, while the Nine Network in Australia will broadcast the 2001 Goodwill Games locally. Goodwill Games, Inc. is a division of Turner Sports, the sports programming and production business unit of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Nikki Todd, Media Liaison Executive
2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane
Phone: 07 3233 2045 or Mobile: 0408 011 204
E-mail: nikki.todd@2001gwgbrisbane.com.au

Marnie Peter, Communications Officer
Surf Life Saving Australia
Phone: 02 9597 5588 or Mobile: 0407 286 619
E-mail: marnie@slsa.asn.au

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