LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — ESPN, Inc. has selected Lake Placid, N.Y. to host the third annual Great Outdoor Games, the premier outdoor sports competition, July 11-14, 2002. The announcement was made by New York Governor George Pataki and ESPN President George Bodenheimer. This will mark the third consecutive year the event has been staged in Lake Placid. Last year's four-day competition drew more than 30,000 spectators.

The 2002 Great Outdoor Games will feature more than 200 athletes — human and canine — competing for medals and prize money in 22 events within four sport categories: fishing, sporting dogs, target sports and timber events. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports will televise the action July 20-23. The Great Outdoor Games is a key component of ESPN Outdoors, a new division of ESPN, Inc. overseen by Michael Rooney.

"Based on last year's overwhelming response in Lake Placid — from participants, fans, organizers and sponsors — we have decided to return for another year," Bodenheimer said. "We thank Governor Pataki and look forward to working with the people of New York state to make the 2002 event the best to date."

Pataki added: "The fact that Lake Placid is now a perfect three-for-three in winning the rights to host the ESPN Great Outdoor Games is a testimony to our athletic legacy and proven ability in accommodating world-class sporting events. More and more world-class competitions are being held here because of our strong determination to put more dollars from Albany into new equipment and upgraded venues. Those dollars helped us invest in Lake Placid, in turn attracting more visitors and sporting events that strengthen the local economy."

ESPN will once again work closely with the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) in Lake Placid on all aspects of event planning, from logistical to operational to staging and marketing support.

ORDA Chairman Charles A. Gargano said, "The ESPN Great Outdoor Games provide us with invaluable television exposure that markets Lake Placid's recreational venues and distinct shopping and restaurant experiences. We have been proud to host the first two-ever ESPN games, and the 2002 'three-peat' is a great victory for Lake Placid and for New York. I want to thank local businesses for being such true partners with ORDA, and we look forward to helping attract more visitors to your hotels, restaurants and shops."

The 2002 Great Outdoor Games

Sporting Dogs
Big Air
Retriever Trials
Large and Small Dog Agility

Fishing
Bass Fishing
Fly Fishing

Target Sports
Archery
Rifle Targets
Shotgun Grid

Timber Events
Men's and Women's Endurance
Tree Topping
Springboard
Hot Saw
Speed Climbing
Men's and Women's Boom Run
Men's and Women's Log Rolling
Team Relay
Boom Run Challenge Match and Boom Run Mixed Doubles.

Further information, including athletes and schedules, will be forthcoming.