07/24/2001

World-Class Athletes Kick Off Series of Goodwill Games Youth Days
Local Heroes to Make Appearances at Boys & Girls Clubs Around the Country

Super stars Jason Terry, Cheryl Haworth and Angelo Taylor are set to kick off a series of youth days on behalf of the Goodwill Games on Tuesday, July 24, at local Boys and Girls Club of America, officials announced today. The youth days will be a chance for the athletes to demonstrate to local children the impact that sports can play in their lives. In addition to the Atlanta Youth Day, additional youth days are scheduled for Orlando, Houston, New York, Los Angeles and Phoenix. The Goodwill Games recognize that sports play a valuable role in the enrichment of humanity and the Goodwill Games encourage children to choose sports as an avenue for positive character development.

"I'm extremely excited to be part of the Goodwill Games youth program," said Terry, " The Goodwill Games recognizes that sports can teach children the tools that will carry them into adulthood such as team work and dedication."

Terry, a member of the Atlanta Hawks, will make his first appearance at the Goodwill Games as a member of basketball's Team USA. He was a member of the 2000 NBA All-Rookie second team and a member of the 1997 National Champion Arizona Wildcats.

Haworth, a native of Savannah, GA. will make her first appearance at the 2001 Goodwill Games. She won bronze at the Sydney Olympics as the youngest member of the U. S. Olympic weightlifting team. She holds every senior, junior and school-age record in her weight-class.

Taylor, an Albany, GA native and Georgia Tech graduate, won silver in the 400m hurdles at the 1998 Goodwill Games and won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the 400m hurdles.

World-class athletes will represent the additional youth day's as well. Orlando Youth Day will feature Orlando Magic guard Mike Miller, diver Mark Ruiz and swimmer Brooke Bennett. Houston Youth Day will feature diver Laura Wilkinson, swimmer Josh Davis, and rising Gymnastics star Sean Townsend,. The New York Youth Day will feature track and field star Michael Johnson, New Jersey Nets forward Kenyon Martin, and gymnast Kristal Uzelac. Los Angeles Youth Day will feature swimmers Haley Cope and Amanda Beard, beach volleyball stars Dain Blanton and Eric Fonoimoana, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Andre Miller and Memphis Grizzlies forward Shane Battier.

The Goodwill Games, Aug. 29-Sept. 9, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, will feature 14 sports: athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, cycling (track), diving, figure skating, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, trampoline, triathlon, weightlifting and surf lifesaving. The Goodwill Games were founded by AOL Time Warner Vice Chairman R.E. Turner in 1986 to ensure that the world's best athletes have the opportunity to compete in world-class competition. Goodwill Games, Inc. is a division of Turner Sports, the sports programming and production business unit of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

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