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NEWS RELEASE
June 13, 2003
Contacts: Natalie Gochnour, (801) 538-1503
Bridget Fare, (801) 538-1509
Kort Utley, (801) 538-1053

Team Utah to Compete in Moscow
Youth games build partnerships as Moscow and Utah youth are united through sport

Governor Mike Leavitt announced today that the Moscow-Utah Youth Summer Games will be held July 16 – 28 in Moscow. The exchange program includes summer games in Moscow in July, and winter games in Utah in February 2004. Approximately 300 high-school-age Utahns, known as Team Utah, will participate in the games next month.

“The Games capitalize on the universal language of sport to promote business, cultural and humanitarian partnerships,” said Governor Leavitt. “These young Utahns will grow as athletes and world citizens because of this opportunity.”

Neways International, a Utah-based company, is the official Utah sponsor of Team Utah. Almost 80% of Team Utah’s travel expenses are covered because of Neways’ generous contribution.

“The Neways family is proud to be a sponsor of these games. We hope the opportunities for travel, cultural exchange and competition will enrich the lives of everyone involved in the games,” said Michael Cunningham, CEO of Neways.

Approximately 500 Utahns will travel to Moscow, including athletes, their families and coaches, and business people from all over the state. The high-school-age athletes will compete in ten different sports, including baseball, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, track & field, volleyball, water polo and wrestling. There will be opening and closing ceremonies, and additional cultural, humanitarian and business events during the Games.

Governor Leavitt and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov conceived of the idea for the Youth Games during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Last October, Governor Leavitt and the Mayor signed an agreement formalizing the Moscow-Utah Youth Games. In addition to the summer events to be held in Moscow, Utah will host winter events in February 2004. The exchange signifies the first-ever joint games between a Russian city and a U.S. state.

An economic and cultural hub of Russia, Moscow hosted the 1980 Olympic Games, and is bidding for the 2012 Games. Moscow is a city of sports, with excellent training facilities for their youth, and 175 sports schools.

Neways International manufactures and sells personal care and nutritional products in 23 markets around the world. They employ more than 400 people in Utah. Neways recently completed a new administrative building west of the I-15 freeway in Springville.