Winter Goodwill Games Announced

First Major International Multi-Sport Event of the New Century to be Held in Lake Placid, NY

Goodwill Games officials today announced the first major, international multi-sport competition of the new century. The inaugural Winter Goodwill Games will be staged in Lake Placid, New York from February 17-20, 2000. The Winter Goodwill Games represent the first time that the Goodwill Games will present an exclusively-winter, multi-sport program, with seven winter sports on the schedule. Turner Network Television (TNT), the Games host network, will televise 16 hours of exclusive coverage. Lake Placid will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in 2000.

Among those present for the announcement were George E. Pataki, Governor of New York; Dr. Harvey Schiller, President of Turner Sports; Mike Plant, President of the Goodwill Games; Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development Corp. and the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA); Ted Blazer, President and CEO of ORDA; Dan Jansen, Olympic Gold medalist and Games spokesperson.

"We are excited about expanding the Goodwill Games into a winter sports franchise," said Harvey Schiller, president of Turner Sports. "The Winter Goodwill Games are a great addition to TNT's sports lineup, and they will allow another group of athletes a chance to compete for Goodwill Gold."

The seven sports to be contested at the Winter Games are: bobsled, figure skating, luge, skiing, ski jumping, snowboarding, and short track speedskating. As in traditional Goodwill Games, the Winter Games will feature the world's best athletes competing in the Games' signature finals-only format. Competitors will be vying for their share of a substantial prize and performance purse.

"We've worked long and hard with all of the involved sports federations to secure an exciting and competitive program. We will combine traditional winter sports disciplines with some of the new, edgier events to seek a diversified audience," said Mike Plant, who was a member of the US Speedskating team that competed in Lake Placid in 1980. "As host of both the 1932 and the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, Lake Placid proved that it is one of the best winter sports venues in the world."

The state of New York, in conjunction with the federal government, has appropriated funding to begin extensive renovations to prepare Lake Placid for the Winter Goodwill Games. Construction has already begun on a state-of-the-art combined bobsled and luge facility. The existing structure, which was designed and built for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, is currently being dismantled to make way for the new track.

"I’m very proud to welcome the Goodwill Games back to New York State. The State’s $12.5 million commitment has reinstated Lake Placid’s status as a premier, international sports venue. Our investment has allowed us to attract new winter events, promote tourism and boost the North Country’s growing economy," said Governor George E. Pataki. "Lake Placid is truly an international community, known around the world for hosting the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. Today’s announcement brings our vision of returning world class events, and the thousands of spectators they bring with them, to the North Country a reality," added the Governor.

Representative John Sweeney, who was unable to attend the announcement, said, "The Goodwill Games could not have selected a better place to hold their first Winter Games. Lake Placid has a proud tradition of spotlighting the world’s greatest winter athletes and that legacy will surely continue. This announcement highlights the importance of forging partnerships between the public and private sectors to make further investments in Lake Placid’s facilities."

The Goodwill Games will be partnering with ORDA when they bring the Games to Lake Placid. ORDA was founded after the 1980 Olympic Winter Games.

"On the 20th anniversary of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, ORDA is thrilled to partner with the Goodwill Games," said Charles Gargano. "Lake Placid’s legacy, along with the commitment of Governor Pataki, the state and ORDA, makes Lake Placid the ideal location to stage the first Winter Goodwill Games."

"Our expertise and community support, combined with the resources and experience of the Goodwill Games organizers, will make the Lake Placid Goodwill Games the most exciting winter sports event in the U.S. in recent years," said Ted Blazer, president and CEO of ORDA. "This is exactly the kind of event which reaffirms our legacy as the Winter Sports capital of the world."

"From an athlete’s perspective, it is important to take advantage of every opportunity to compete," said Dan Jansen. "These Games will allow winter athletes another chance to showcase their abilities and promote their sport."

The Winter Goodwill Games will appear on TNT, which will serve as the host network, and will televise 16 hours of original programming. Turner Sports is the host broadcaster and is coordinating all aspects of the production. Internationally, the syndication rights are being sold by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.

ORDA was established in 1981 under legislation enacted by the State of New York to operate, maintain and promote the 1980 Winter Olympic facilities in the Lake Placid region, host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games. These include Whiteface Mountain Ski Center, the Olympic Jumping Complex, the Olympic Sports Complex and the Olympic Center. Gore Mountain Ski Center in North Creek, NY was added in 1984, and the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum was added in 1994.

The Winter Goodwill Games are not the only event on the horizon for Goodwill Games organizers. The 2001 Goodwill Games are scheduled for 12 days in September/October, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The 2001 Games will showcase the world's best athletes competing in 12 sports. The competitors, including numerous world and Olympic champions, will be vying for $6 million in prize money and world record/performance incentives, the largest purse in multi-sport event history.

The 12 sports are: basketball, swimming, beach volleyball, track cycling, boxing, track and field, diving, triathlon, figure skating, weightlifting, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and surf lifesaving (Australian demonstration sport).

The Goodwill Games began in 1986, in response to the Cold War boycotts of the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Summer Games. Today they have a new mission, to benefit children worldwide. Past Goodwill Games sites include Moscow, Soviet Union, 1986; Seattle, Wash., 1990; St. Petersburg, Russia, 1994; and New York, New York; 1998.

CONTACT:
Amy Phillips, Goodwill Games, 404-827-4696
Greg Hughes, Turner Sports, 404-827-3362
Maura Gallucci, Empire State Development Corp., 212-803-3726
Ginny Valenze, ORDA, 518-523-1655 x213
Walter Ward, TNT, 404-885-0298