Goodwill Games

10/4/99

R.E. Turner, Michael Johnson, Grant Hackett Launch 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia
Games to air on Turner Network Television (TNT) and The Nine Network
Australian Prime Minister John
Howard Comments on Games

Time Warner Vice Chairman and Goodwill Games founder R. E. "Ted" Turner officially launched the 2001 Goodwill Games at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre today in the host city of Brisbane, Australia. Joined by the Premier of Queensland, Peter Beattie; Goodwill and Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson; and world swimming champion Grant Hackett, Turner announced details for the multi-sport event, including:

The 2001 Goodwill Games will feature 12 days of world-class competition, from August 29 - September 9, 2001.
The competition calendar highlights 14 sporting events in a unique finals-only format: Athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, cycling (track), diving, figure skating, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, surf lifesaving, trampoline, triathlon and weightlifting.
The Games will feature more than 1,300 of the world's best athletes, vying for their share of a substantial prize purse. Already, American sprinter Johnson and Australian swimmer Hackett have committed to compete in the Games.
Turner Network Television (TNT) is the host broadcast network in the U.S.; Nine Network will broadcast the Games nationally in Australia.
The Games unveiled an event-specific logo and look, which can be viewed on their new Web site at 'goodwillgames.com'.

Others joining Turner at the launch announcement included Goodwill Games President Michael Plant; Nine Network's Executive Chairman of Publishing and Broadcasting Limited James Packer; Queensland Minister of Tourism, Sport & Racing Bob Gibbs; Chairman of 2001 Goodwill Games Wayne Goss; and Goodwill Games Brisbane Chief Executive Campbell Rose.

The 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane represent the first time this multi-sport competition will be held outside the United States or Russia.

"I can't think of a better backdrop for the first Goodwill Games of the new millennium than the city of Brisbane," said Turner. "I look forward to being here with athletes and sports fans from around the world."

The support of the Queensland government has been essential to the planning of the Games, and will continue to be an important aspect of the Games as they draw closer.

"It's time to show the world what Queensland has to offer," said Queensland Premier Peter Beattie. "We are ready to host a world-class event and the 2001 Goodwill Games are the perfect opportunity to showcase the beauty and the culture of Brisbane to a global audience. The Games have our full support."

"Our mission has always been to bring the world's best athletes together," said Games President Michael Plant. "The Goodwill Games give these elite competitors an opportunity to excel on an international stage."

Michael Johnson, a five-time Goodwill Games Gold Medalist and a member of the world-record setting 4x400 relay team at the 1998 Goodwill Games, will make his fourth Goodwill Games appearance in Brisbane.

"I got my international start at the Goodwill Games, so they have always been very important to me," said Johnson. "The finals-only format is exciting not only for the athletes, but also for the fans."

Queensland Minister of Tourism, Sport and Racing Bob Gibbs added that the Games will provide Brisbane with more than just top-level athletic competition.

"The Games will also create upwards of 2,000 jobs and generate more than $167 million for the state economy," said Gibbs.

The Goodwill Games event logo for 2001 was specifically designed for the Games in Brisbane. The colorful block pattern captures the spirit of Brisbane and of world-class competition. It can be viewed on the new Goodwill Games Web site, which also includes all pertinent information about the Games, at 'goodwillgames.com'.

The Goodwill Games, founded in 1986 as a platform to promote international goodwill through world-class competition, have grown to become the premier international, invitational, multi-sport event where athletes come together to put their greatness to the test. The Games are committed to enriching humanity through sport, with a special interest in helping children. 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. The Goodwill Games have two events on the horizon: The 2000 Winter Goodwill Games in Lake Placid, New York, and the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. TNT is the host television network for the event in the U.S. Goodwill Games, Inc., is a division of Turner Sports.

CONTACTS:

Jeff Pomeroy Goodwill Games 404/827.4786

Amy Phillips Goodwill Games 404/827.4696

John Barton Goodwill Games Brisbane 61/7.3233.2001

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