For Release: March 10

World's Top Women's Soccer Teams to Compete in the 1998 Goodwill Games

Four of the world's top-ranked women's soccer teams-USA, China, Norway and Denmark-kick their way to Long Island's newly- renovated Mitchel Athletic Complex to participate in the first- ever women's soccer competition in Goodwill Games' history. The four-team field, the schedule and format was announced today by Goodwill Games' management during a Games' press conference at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan.

"The addition of women's soccer to the '98 Games is a tremendous asset," said Goodwill Games President Mike Plant. "By combining the No. 1 ranked U.S. team with the talent of China, Norway and Denmark, we've set the stage for a world-class soccer showdown. This field allows Games' spectators and viewers to experience the world's most popular sport, played by the world's best teams."

The women's soccer format will consist of four games-two semifinals and two finals. In the semifinal games, the two winners go on to play in the gold-medal match and the two losing teams play in the bronze-medal match. The semifinal games will take place on July 25 and include: Game 1 - China v/s Norway at 12:00 p.m.; Game 2 - USA v/s Denmark at 7:30 p.m. The two finals-gold and bronze medal matches-will take place on July 27 and begin at 6:00 p.m.

The U.S. Women's Soccer Team, recently named 1997 United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Team of the Year, has long been considered one of the best in the world and currently is the world's No. 1 soccer power-coming off a gold-medal performance in the 1996 Olympics. Team USA had an outstanding 1997, posting a 16-2-0 record in full international matches, while winning the U.S. Women's Cup '97.

Since 1985, Team USA has racked up impressive credentials including: Champion-1991 FIFA Women's World Cup; Bronze Medal- 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup; Gold Medal-1996 Olympics, and a remarkable 124-30-11 overall record. Names such as Michelle Akers, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Kristine Lilly and Mia Hamm have not only established the U.S. as a powerhouse in the women's soccer world, but have generated a wave of enthusiasm for the sport in the United States. The U.S. has its sights set on the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States in hopes of regaining the trophy it lost to Norway in 1995. The USA, as host of the 1999 World Cup, automatically earns a berth into the competition. Players competing for the U.S. in the Goodwill Games will be announced in late June.

"We are looking to the Goodwill Games as an excellent preview to the competition we will face at the 1999 Women's World Cup," said Tony DiCicco, U.S. head coach. "Fans who come to the Goodwill Games will not only see the best teams in the world compete, but experience the high level of excitement and quality of play that will be on display at the World Cup."

Norway, the 1996 Olympic bronze medalist and the defending 1995 World Cup Champion, is a dominant force in European women's soccer. Norway has remained a thorn in the side of the U.S. team since their meeting at the 1991 World Cup, where the Norwegians lost 2-1 to the U.S. in the Championship game on a last-minute goal from Michelle Akers. The teams met again at the 1995 World Cup. This time Norway was victorious, defeating the USA, 1-0, and forcing them to settle for the bronze. Norway is currently in second place in group three in European qualifying for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The Chinese women began their rise to the top in 1991 by hosting the first-ever women's World Cup. At the 1996 Olympic Games, China finished second to the United States and won the silver medal. China has qualified for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Denmark was the sixth-place finisher at the 1995 World Cup and the eight-place finisher at the `96 Olympics. Denmark is leading group four in European qualifying for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The 1998 Goodwill Games will showcase approximately 1,500 of the world's best athletes from more than 60 countries competing in 15 sports. The competitors, which include numerous world and Olympic champions, will be vying for $5 million in prize money and world record/performance incentives, the largest purse in multi-sport event history.

TBS Superstation, the Games' host network, will televise 45 hours of prime-time coverage of the 1998 Goodwill Games. CBS will televise 10 hours of weekend, afternoon coverage. In addition to appearing on TBS and CBS, boxing will be televised on HBO as part of the Boxing After Dark series. The 1998 Games mark the first time a sporting event has appeared on all three levels of television distribution. 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, and the Games are expected to be broadcast to more than 130 countries.

More than 600,000 tickets are available for sale to the 15 sports of the 1998 Goodwill Games. Tickets, which range in price from $10 to $60, are available through Ticketmaster, the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum box office and the Madison Square Garden box office. For up-to-date information on ticket availability and all ticket outlets, visit the Goodwill Games website at www.goodwillgames98.com.

The Goodwill Games are hosted through a combined effort between Goodwill Games, Inc. and the participating sports federations, in conjunction with the appropriate state, city and county governmental agencies. Goodwill Games, Inc., a division of Turner Sports and Time Warner Inc., is responsible for all aspects of the event.

CONTACTS:

Michael Lewellen Eileen Sexton Richard Finn Aaron Heifetz

Goodwill Games/Atlanta Goodwill Games/Atlanta Goodwill Games/New York U.S. Women's Soccer

404/827-4786 404/827-5624 212/484-7647 310/284-7847