News Release

WORLD SPORT CHICAGO HOSTS

TOP INTERNATIONAL MEN’S VOLLEYBALL EVENT HELD

AT PROPOSED 2016 SUMMER GAMES VENUE

World League Volleyball Comes to Convocation Center on Campus of Chicago State University

CHICAGO (May 4, 2007) – World Sport Chicago, along with USA Volleyball and the International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB), will present its second major international sporting event with the U.S. men’s national team vs. Italy, a 2007 World League Volleyball match on June 15-16 at the Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center on the campus of Chicago State University.

World Sport Chicago is a non-profit organization formed to promote the development of amateur sport and international competition in the Chicagoland area.

The event features matches between the U.S. and Italy on Friday, June 15, 2007 at 7 p.m., and on Saturday, June 16, at 5 p.m.

“This is another exciting international event that we at World Sport Chicago are thrilled to be a part of,” said Michael Conley, Executive Director of World Sport Chicago. “Now that the USOC has committed to Chicago as its bid city for the 2016 Olympic Games, it is important now more then ever to bring quality international sporting events to our city and continue to support amateur athletics in the area.”

The U.S. squad already has ties to Chicago, as team captain Tom Hoff grew up in Park Ridge, Ill., while outside hitter Sean Rooney is originally from in Wheaton, Ill.

“We are pleased to be bringing Chicago a preview of the kind of men’s volleyball it will see if it is chosen to host the 2016 Olympic Games,” said USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal. “Chicago is a great sports city and we hope to see plenty of fans at the Convocation Center.”

The Italian national team is currently ranked No. 2 in the world and has won the FIVB World League title eight times since 1990.

The U.S. national men’s volleyball team will play seven World League Volleyball matches over six weekends from May - July. The league is divided into four different pools, and the winner of each pool advances to the World League Finals in Katowice, Poland, on July 11-15.

France and Japan join the United States and Italy in Pool “B”.

ESPNU, USA Volleyball’s broadcast partner, will show all the matches played in the United States on a tape-delayed basis. Commentary will be provided by 1984 Olympic volleyball gold medalist Chris Marlowe and two-time Olympian Kevin Barnett, a native of Naperville, Ill.

World Sport Chicago also hosted the widely acclaimed Chicago Cup wrestling event at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill., on Feb. 4, 2007.

Single day tickets for the event will be $12 for adults and $8 for kids (ages 2-12), while two-day passes will be $18 for adults and $14 for kids (ages 2-12).

Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (312) 559-1212, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information on World Sport Chicago and the World League Volleyball event, visit www.worldsportchicago.org.

For press credentials and media inquiries, please contact Tracy Straub at 312-202-6553 or tracy.straub@hillandknowton.com.

About World Sport Chicago

World Sport Chicago was established as an independent 501(c)3 corporation, and the Athlete’s Advisory Council (AAC) of Chicago 2016 will provide strategic counsel, as appropriate. Through strategic partnerships with organizations such as the United States Olympic Committee, International Olympic Committee, National Collegiate Athletic Association and other national governing bodies, World Sport Chicago works to promote the development of recreational and competitive sports throughout the region.

A major component of the organization’s programs will be hosting demonstrations that provide kids the opportunity to learn from all-star athletes. Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Conley is the executive director of the organization, while wrestling world champion and Olympic Medalist William Scherr serves as chairman of the board and Jessica Judge, serves as organization manager.

About the Chicago 2016 Exploratory Committee

The Chicago 2016 Exploratory Committee is an Illinois not for profit corporation (which has applied for status as a 501(c)(3) corporation) whose mission is to seek, on behalf of the City of Chicago, the privilege of hosting the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Chicago. The Committee’s Board comprises business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Its honorary chairmen are Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Patrick Ryan serves as chairman and CEO.

City of Chicago, U.S. Bid City, 2016 Olympic Games

www.chicago2016.org

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For further information, please contact:

Jessica Judge

World Sport Chicago

Office: 312-616-5450

jjudge@chicago2016.org

Tracy Straub

Hill & Knowlton

Office: 312-202-6553

tracy.straub@hillandknowton.com