Chicago to host 2009 Tyson American Cup

CHICAGO (November 13, 2008) -USA Gymnastics and World Sport Chicago (WSC) today jointly announced that the 2009 Tyson American Cup will be held at the Sears Centre Arena in metropolitan Chicago on Feb. 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets went on sale today for the Tyson American Cup, one of the most prestigious international, invitational gymnastics events. Legendary gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi was on hand for the announcement.

"The Tyson American Cup has a long tradition of showcasing and previewing the world's top gymnasts, and it is a great way to show the gymnastics community that Chicago is the perfect city to host the 2016 Games," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "We are excited about starting our 2012 road to London in the Chicago area."

"We are honored that Chicago will welcome the gymnastics community to this prestigious international competition," said Bill Scherr, chairman of World Sports Chicago. "We are thrilled that Chicagoans will have the opportunity to come out and see these top athletes from around the world compete."

The 2009 Tyson American Cup features an all-around format, and the field for the event will be announced at a later date. The list of former champions includes some of the sport's best-known names, including Bart Conner, Paul Hamm, Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Shannon Miller, Carly Patterson, Mary Lou Retton and Peter Vidmar.

"The Tyson American Cup features gymnastics at its highest level and will be a great experience for the fans," said Dave Hogberg, senior vice president of Tyson Foods. "We are proud to sponsor this prestigious event and to communicate the importance of protein and nutrition to those who attend, as well as the millions of Americans who tune in."

Ticket prices range from $19.50-$125 and are subject to applicable fees. Tickets may be purchased charge by phone at 312-559-1212 or 1-888-SEARSTIX; online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/04004166DC6133A1?artistid=1272453&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=206; at all Ticketmaster outlets; at the Sears Centre Arena Box Office; or through participating area gymnastics clubs. Visa is the preferred method of payment.

"We are excited to be part of this prestigious event, especially with the success of the U.S. teams in Beijing," said Jeff Bowen, president of the Sears Centre Arena. "The Tyson American Cup once again will prove to be an exciting competition for both the athletes and fans."

Karolyi spoke about the Tyson American Cup, as well as expressed his thoughts on Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Games.

"The Tyson American Cup has always been an indicator of great Olympians," said Karolyi, who has coached 28 Olympians and nine Olympic champions, including Nadia Comaneci, Kerri Strug and Retton. "Mary Lou won the American Cup in 1984 and Kerri won it in 1996, and both went on to win gold medals at the Olympics that same year. Two of the greatest moments of my career are when Mary Lou won at the Olympics in Los Angeles, and when Kerri helped the U.S. women win the title in 1996.

"I'd love for the USA to host the Games on the 20th anniversary of our victory in 1996, and Chicago would be an excellent site for the Games," said Karolyi, who is currently the director of the U.S. Women's National Training Center and an ambassador for the sport.

Past sites for the American Cup include: New York City (1976-80, 1982-84, 2004, 2008); Ft. Worth Texas (1981, 1996-98); Indianapolis, Ind. (1985); Fairfax, Va. (1986-90, 2003); Orlando, Fla. (1991-94, 2000-02); Seattle, Wash. (1995); St. Petersburg, Fla. (1999); Uniondale, N.Y. (2005); Philadelphia (2006); and Jacksonville, Fla. (2007).

About Sears Centre Arena
Sears Centre Arena is an 11,200 seat multi purpose family entertainment, cultural, and sports arena located in Hoffman Estates' Prairie Stone Business Park. Sears Centre Arena has hosted international events in the past such as the FIVB World League match up between Olympic Gold Medalist USA Men's Volleyball and Bulgaria. Coming events at the Sears Centre Arena include the 2008 Chicago Invitational Basketball Challenge featuring Marquette, Auburn, Dayton and Northern Iowa, Notre Dame Shillelagh Hockey Tournament, and the recently announced 17 show run of Cirque Du Soleil Saltimbanco, and more! For more information regarding Sears Centre Arena and coming events, please visit the arena's new website at http://www.searscentre.com/.

About World Sport Chicago
World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois not-for-profit working to enhance the image, awareness and participation in Olympic sports across Chicago and to extend Chicago's international outreach through and for sport and youth. Focused on promoting the development of recreational and competitive sport to the area's youth, WSC works closely with Chicago 2016 and Chicago's 2016's Athlete Advisory Counsel (AAC) to provide sport expertise and athlete insight to the execution of these sporting events. WSC intends to aid Chicago in developing a sustainable, international sporting legacy as a real agent of social change for the city. William Scherr, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, is chairman of the board and Scott Myers serves as the executive director.

About Tyson Foods, Inc
Tyson Foods, Inc. [NYSE: TSN], founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 104,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.