10/09/2000

Calgary to Celebrate Provincial Centennial by Hosting Major International Multi-Sport Competition

Turner Sports and Time Warner Inc. today announced that Calgary, Alberta, Canada will be the host city for the 2005 Winter Goodwill Games. The announcement came at a press conference in Lake Placid, New York, where the inaugural Winter Goodwill Games are currently in progress (Feb. 17-20). The Winter Goodwill Games will help mark the centennial anniversary of Alberta.

Making the announcement were Time Warner Vice Chairman R.E. Turner, Turner Sports President Mark Lazarus, Mayor of the City of Calgary Al Duerr, Minister of the Province of Alberta the Honourable Murray Smith, 2005 Winter Goodwill Games Chairman Doug Mitchell and Goodwill Games President Michael Plant.

"When we founded the Goodwill Games in 1986, my hope was that one day we would expand into a winter format. We've done that here in Lake Placid," said Turner. "We're looking toward the future and Calgary to help us continue to grow the Goodwill Games franchise into the 21st Century."

The announcement represents a long-term commitment to the Games by parent company Time Warner Inc. Currently, Goodwill Games, Inc. is considering potential sites for the 2003 Winter Goodwill Games and 2005 summer format of the Goodwill Games, with bid documents in the hands of eight potential host cities.

The Goodwill Games are an invitation-only event, featuring only the top competitors in their respective sports competing against each other in a predominantly finals-only format. The Games have been held in summer formats in Moscow (1986), Seattle (1990), St. Petersburg (1994) and New York (1998), and will be staged in Brisbane, Australia in 2001.

Many host cities were considered by Goodwill Games, Inc. for the 2005 Winter Games before Calgary was chosen. That decision was based largely on Calgary's facilities, infrastructure, government and corporate interest, as well as the enthusiasm of the local community.

"The Goodwill Games create partnerships," said Goodwill Games President Plant. "The Calgary organizing committee understands the mission and the goals of our organization. Together, we will continue to grow and expand the Goodwill Games, providing a worldwide stage for our athletes as well as entertaining and compelling competition for a global audience."

Calgary, host of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, has been under consideration for the past two years. Delegates from Calgary have been meeting with representatives from Turner since last May.

"The Province of Alberta and the City of Calgary will be ready to host the world when the Goodwill Games arrive in 2005," said 2005 Winter Goodwill Games Chairman Doug Mitchell. "It will be a milestone year for us as the Winter Goodwill Games will act as the cornerstone of our province's centennial celebrations."

"We bring our assets and expertise to the table, along with an extensive national and international marketing plan, and we look for a strong partner as host to make the whole event happen. We believe Calgary will be a terrific host city for the Goodwill Games," added Plant.

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 inaugural Winter Goodwill Games take place Feb. 17 - 20, 2000 in Lake Placid, New York. 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, including 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:

back to news