Accepting invitations to compete are men’s Olympic
champion Simon Whitfield (CAN), silver medalist Stefan
Vuckovich (GER) and bronze medalist Jan Rehula (CZE),
should he recover from injuries recently sustained
while training in Sydney, Australia. Also accepting
an invitation to compete is the 1994 and 1998 defending
Goodwill Games Triathlon Champion and four time world
champion, Simon Lessing. The women’s field will
include Olympic champion Brigette McMahon (SUI) and
host country heroes Michellie Jones, 2000 Olympic
silver medalist, (AUS) and 1998 Goodwill Games Champion
Loretta Harrop (AUS). The Olympic bronze medalist
in Sydney, Megali Messmer (SUI), will not compete
because she has retired.
"We
are very excited to have the biggest names in triathlon
already committed to compete at the 2001 Goodwill
Games. The South Bank precinct in Brisbane will make
a wonderful backdrop for the competition," said
Michael Plant, president of Goodwill Games, Inc. "We
are proud of our history with the sport of Triathlon
and look forward to what will certainly be a memorable
competition."
The
men’s and women’s Triathlon field will consist
of 25 competitors each and will be contested on September
2, 2001. In addition to the Olympic medalists and
reigning Goodwill Games champions that have already
committed, invitations will be extended to the three
highest International Triathlon Union (ITU) ranked
men and women from the host country Australia and
the USA, based on ITU rankings as of July 14th,
2001. Invitations will also be extended to the top
12 ITU ranked athletes in the world as of July 14th,
the 2001 ITU World Champions and two wild card entries
per gender by Games organizers.
"The
value of sports creating a bridge of peace and friendship
is vitally important in today’s world. The Goodwill
Games are a terrific platform for this concept and
we are excited, once again, to be a part of them.
Our athletes are setting their sights on them,"
said Les McDonald, President of ITU.
A
total prize purse of $200,000 (USD) will be divided
equally between the men’s and women’s competitions
with $100,000 in prize money divided amongst the top
ten winners in each competition. The first place male
and female champions will each receive $30,000 (USD),
second place champions will each receive $21,000 (USD)
and the third place champions will each receive $15,000.
The remainder of the cash prize purse will be divided
as follows: $10,000 (USD) for 4th place,
$8,000 (USD) for 5th place, $6,000 for
6th place, $4,000 (USD) for 7th
place, $3,000 (USD) for 8th place, $2,000
(USD) for 9th place and $1,000 (USD) for
10th place.
The
2001 Goodwill Games, hosted in Brisbane, Australia,
will be held from August 29 — September 9, 2001
and will feature 14 sports over 12 days off competition.
Along with Triathlon, 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,
Surf Lifesaving, Trampoline, and Weightlifting.
The
1994 Goodwill Games were the first major international
multi-sport event to feature Triathlon as part of
their competition.
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.
CONTACTS:
Jeff
Pomeroy Goodwill Games, Inc. Tel:
1.404.827.4786
Janet
England 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane,
Inc. (61) 07.3233.2045
