Goodwill Games

01/11/2001

Surf Lifesaving Teams Confirmed for 2001 Goodwill Games
Marks First Complete Field of Athletes for 2001

Goodwill Games officials announced today all eight teams invited to compete in their first-ever Surf Lifesaving competition have confirmed their participation, marking the first complete field of competitors for a 2001 Goodwill Games sport. The Surf Lifesaving competition will be contested over two-day's, September 1 & 2, 2001, and will feature the world's best surf lifesavers from Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain and the United States. Kurrawa Beach, on the Gold Coast of Australia, will be the stage for this exciting competition.

The 2001 Goodwill Games, hosted by Brisbane, Australia, will be held from August 29 - September 9, 2001 and will feature 14 sports over 12 days off competition. Along with Surf Lifesaving, the Goodwill Games will host an elite field of competitors in Athletics, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Cycling (track), Diving, Figure Skating, Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Swimming, Trampoline, Triathlon and Weightlifting.

"To have 100% acceptance at this stage from all of the Surf Lifesaving teams is very thrilling for the Goodwill Games," said Michael Plant, president of Goodwill Games, Inc. "Surf Lifesaving is an exciting sport with a huge following in Australia. We're proud to give it exposure on a world stage and, hopefully, we can help them (surf lifesaving) win over some new fans."

Each team, consisting of five men and four women, will compete in 12 events: Mixed Board Rescue, Beach Sprint (m/w), Surf Race (m/w), Surf Board Race (w), Surf Ski Race (m), Ironman/Ironwoman, Beach Flags (m/w) and the Lifesaver Relay (swim, board, ski, run). Medals will be awarded to all team members of the top three teams based upon the overall point score. In addition to the medals, prize money is awarded to teams based on their placing for each day and the overall ranking.

The 2001 Goodwill Games will be the first major international multi-sport event to feature Surf Lifesaving as part of their competition. To prepare, the Goodwill Games have been working in conjunction with Surf Life Saving Australia, Ltd.

In addition to the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia, plans are underway for the 2005 Winter Goodwill Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. TNT is the host network for both events. Nine Network Australia will broadcast the 2001 Goodwill Games locally. 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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