Goodwill Games

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. While originally a summer event, the Games introduced a new franchise, the Winter Goodwill Games, in February, 2000. Previous Goodwill Games have alternated between the U.S. and Russia; however, future Games will be staged around the world in both winter and summer formats. Goodwill Games, Inc., is preparing for the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia and the 2005 Winter Goodwill Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Goodwill Games, Inc., is a division of Turner Sports, the sports programming and production business unit of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. TNT (Turner Network Television) is the host network for the event.

The 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane represent the first time that the Games will be held outside the United States or Russia. The competition calendar features 14 sports events over 12 days (August 29-September 9), including: athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, cycling (track), diving, figure skating, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, trampoline, triathlon, weightlifting and surf lifesaving. Competitors will by vying for their share of millions in prize money, performance incentives and world record bonuses. Seven of the 10 venues hosting the 2001 Games are within 15 kilometers of downtown Brisbane. The Goodwill Games are working with Goodwill Games Brisbane, Ltd., to prepare for the 2001 Games.

Plans for the 2005 Winter Goodwill Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada were announced at a press conference during the 2000 Winter Goodwill Games. The 2005 Winter Goodwill Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, will be the third edition of the Winter Goodwill Games (site for 2003 Games to be announced). 2005 is also the year of Alberta's centennial celebration, of which the Games will play a significant role. Final dates, schedule and prize money structure for the Calgary Winter Goodwill Games will be announced closer to the event, but Goodwill Games organizers are excited about the prospect of working with their counterparts north of the border.

The Goodwill Games' format, with virtually no preliminary rounds, positions the Goodwill Games to unite the world's best athletes in world-class competition. The top-ranked athletes and teams in the world are invited to participate in the Games based on performances at world championships and other major international competitions in each sport, as well as from the Olympic Games.

Since their inception, there have been four Goodwill Games: Moscow, Soviet Union (1986); Seattle, Washington (1990); St. Petersburg, Russia (1994) and New York, New York (1998). The 2000 Winter Goodwill Games in Lake Placid, NY, were the first winter edition of the event.