Goodwill Games

06/08/2001

World Champion Skating in for Goodwill Games

FOUR-time World Champion figure skater Michelle Kwan today announced she will kick off her Olympic season at the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane in September.

The defending Goodwill Games champion and current World Champion made her announcement simultaneously in Australia and the United States during an international teleconference from Los Angeles.

Her competition in Brisbane will mark the third Goodwill Games appearance for Kwan, who won the event in 1998 and launched her international career when she took home silver in 1994 from St Petersburg.

The figure skating competition will take place from September 5 - 8, with an exhibition of champions on September 9 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Kwan said she was looking forward to competing in Brisbane in September.

"The Goodwill Games hold extremely fond memories for me," she said.

"Participating in the 1994 Games gave me the confidence to compete on an international level and winning in 1998 capped off an incredible year for me. I look forward to being a part of this year's Games and defending my title."

Meanwhile, a massive Olympic-size ice rink has been shipped out from the United States, and is currently in storage in a huge Goodwill Games warehouse in Brisbane. The rink will remain as a legacy for all Queenslanders after the Games end.

The women's figure skating competition will be an Olympic-style format, consisting of a short program and free skate. Up to 12 women will compete in the event. The overall skating competition also includes men's, pairs and ice dance competitions.

A total of 56 of the world's best ice skaters - 28 men and 28 women - will compete over the three-day event.

The men's event will feature a short program and freeskate, the pairs' event will feature a short program and free skate and the ice dance event will feature an original dance and free skate competition.

Competitors for the figure skating event will be based on 2001 World Championships results and other international competitions. Invitations to compete will be extended to eligible skaters, including athletes from Canada, China, France, Japan, Russia and the United States.

The entire list of figure skaters competing in the 2001 Goodwill Games will be announced within weeks, along with the figure skating prize purse.

"Kwan's participation sends the message that the world's best figure skaters will be in Brisbane in Australia," Goodwill Games President Mike Plant said.

"We look forward to the high level of excitement and anticipation she will bring to the competition."

Media information:
Nikki Todd, 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane
Ph: 07 3233 2045 (direct) / Mobile: 0408 011 204
E-mail: nikki.todd@2001gwgbrisbane.com.au

Bob Dunlop, USA Figure Skating
Ph: 0011 1 719 635-5200

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