Tyson Foods Brings 2004 T.J. Maxx Tour to Northwest Arkansas

Tickets to Event at University of Arkansas’ Barnhill Arena On Sale Today

INDIANAPOLIS (October 29, 2004) – Olympic gymnastics comes to Northwest Arkansas as the 2004 T.J. Maxx Tour of Gymnastics Champions powered by Tyson Foods tumbles into the University of Arkansas’ Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville on Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m.

The T.J. Maxx Tour – the nation’s premier post-Olympic gymnastics tour – features members of the silver medal-winning men’s and women’s gymnastics Olympic Team that brought home a record total of nine medals. The T.J. Maxx Tour is powered by Tyson Foods, Inc., the world’s largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork and the second largest food company in the Fortune 500.

The addition of Northwest Arkansas marks the 42nd event, and final addition to the tour schedule, which started Sept. 18 in Atlanta and ends Nov. 28 in Tallahassee. Tickets for the Barnhill Arena show are $19.50-$35 and go on sale now online at ladybacks.com, at the Lady Razorback box office, or charge by phone at 877-LADYBACK (877-523-9222) or 479-57-LBACK (575-2225). For group tickets of 15 or more, contact Group Sales at 479-575-7321.

“All of us at Tyson Foods are excited to share this awesome event with our community,” said John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods, Inc. “Tyson is proud to be associated with USA Gymnastics and this outstanding and dedicated group of athletes and thrilled to be able to bring the tour to Northwest Arkansas.”

Tyson is in the midst of a $75 million multi-market communications campaign centered around the simple, yet elegant truth that protein=energy=power. “Powered by Tyson” is the campaign slogan that resounds with USA Gymnastics athletes who, through a protein-powered diet, do things just a little bit better than the competition. The tour is a cornerstone of the company’s effort to reach out to the American consumer.

“Tyson Foods has been a valuable partner to USA Gymnastics this year, so when John Tyson invited us to come to Northwest Arkansas, we were honored to do so,” said USA Gymnastics President Bob Colarossi. “We appreciate the cooperation and support that we have received from both Tyson and the University of Arkansas.”

Planning to perform are members of the 2004 women’s U.S. Olympic Team:

Terin Humphrey, Carly Patterson, Courtney Kupets, Annia Hatch and Mohini Bhardwaj. On the men’s side, team silver medalists Jason Gatson, Brett McClure and Guard Young will tour, along with team alternates Raj Bhavsar and Steve McCain. Rhythmic gymnastics Olympian Mary Sanders, and world champion Sports Acro athletes Shenea Booth and Arthur Davis are also planning to participate. Also on the program are a pair of Cirque du Soleil veterans, aerial stuntman Russ Stark and aerial hoop-dance artist Emilie Therrien.

The high-flying T.J. Maxx Tour format combines elements of cirque-style modern performance art with elite gymnastics to push the boundaries of athleticism and gymnastics to all-new levels.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to highlight the very popular sport of gymnastics here at the University of Arkansas,” added Bev Lewis, University of Arkansas Women’s Athletic Director. “It enables our collegiate gymnasts and their supporters to welcome some of the finest athletes in the world.”

Spectators can ask questions of the athletes and listen to the medalists discuss their Olympic experience during the “T.J. Maxx Behind The Team” presentation prior to each show. For more information, and to register for the “T.J. Maxx Behind The Team” presentation, visit www.tjmaxxgymnasticstour.com.

USA Gymnastics owns and operates the T.J. Maxx Tour of Gymnastics Champions, and will conduct the tour in partnership with the Arena Network. The tour is under the creative direction of One Reel and The Howard Company, with support from Associate Sponsor Tyson Foods, Inc., Hasbro, and apparel provided by GK/Elite Sportswear.

T.J. Maxx, the nation’s largest off-price retailer, was founded in 1977 and has since grown to more than 750 stores in 48 states. T.J. Maxx offers brand name merchandise for the entire family and home at prices up to 60% below department and specialty store prices, every day. T.J. Maxx is a proud sponsor of USA Gymnastics and USA Gymnastics events, including the 2000 and 2003 T.J. Maxx Tour of Gymnastics Champions, and the 2001 T.J. Maxx International Gymnastics Challenge.

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 and the second-largest food company in the FORTUNE 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the “Powered by Tyson™” strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the U.S and more than 80 countries. Tyson has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at 300 facilities and offices in 27 states and 22 countries.

For more information, athlete bios and features, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

2004 T.J. Maxx Tour of Gymnastics Champions

– USA GYMNASTICS –