New York, NY (May 5, 2005) – NYC2012, the committee leading New York’s bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, today unveiled “City of Dreams,” an interactive marketing component on its website, www.nyc2012.com, where supporters can help create a virtual city in support of the City’s bid. Created by New York-based interactive advertising agency R/GA, the section is based on the idea that New York is a city built on the power of dreams where supporters can share their dreams for a New York Games in 2012 by going to: http://www.nyc2012.com/city/city_of_dreams_flash.html

Contributors to “City of Dreams” are asked to name their favorite Olympic sport and are posed the question “What is your dream for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in New York?” Users will be able to search their own dream or the dreams of others by name or by navigating through the virtual “buildings” that make up the city.

“‘City of Dreams’ brings together a community of dreamers and serves as a tremendous outlet through which New Yorkers and supporters of our bid from all over can share their dreams,” said Daniel L. Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding and NYC2012 Founder. “It serves as a creative vehicle for bid backers to articulate their support in a tangible way as we count down the days to the decision date for naming a Host City in Singapore on July 6th.”

R/GA created the virtual city as a compelling, interactive way to motivate and excite people from around the world to share their support for an Olympic and Paralympic Games in New York. As more people create profiles and sign up, the virtual city grows and changes. “We wanted to put the power in the hands of NYC2012 supporters to literally bring to life their own iconic New York skyline,” said Bob Greenberg, R/GA Chairman, CEO & Chief Creative Officer.

-more-

-2-

Scores of Olympians, Paralympians and other athletes have shared their dreams of a 2012 Games in New York, including Yao Ming, center for the NBA’s Houston Rockets; basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson; six-time Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong; soccer superstar Mia Hamm; and swimming greats Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps. They all urge other supporters to help build the foundation of this interactive city. NYC2012 counts more than 1,900 Olympians and Paralympians as supporters through its Circle of Olympians and Paralympians.

Continued Doctoroff: “Our bid has received tremendous backing from all areas: athletes, elected officials, civic leaders, unions and the general public. They all have their own dreams for 2012. My dream is for New York to win the right to host the Games in 2012 and for those Games to further the ideals of peace and hope throughout the world,” Doctoroff continued.

Neslihan Yildirim, a 13 year old New Yorker of Turkish decent who belongs to the Asphalt Green swim team, stated in his dream: “New York City is the city of dreams, it is the first place immigrants and people from all over the world step foot on first when they come to America. It is here that people start to live their dreams…dreams otherwise unachievable in their homelands. My dream for the 2012 Olympic Games in New York is to represent ‘the city of New York’ by being on the U.S. Swimming Team.”

Thao Le, a torch bearer during the New York portion of the Torch Relay leading to last summer’s Athens Games and a NYC2012 supporter whose favorite Olympic sport is beach volleyball, wrote: “My dream for the 2012 Olympic Games in New York is to unite individuals of all races in their love for the Olympic Games. No matter the medal tally at the end, sportsmanship is key; my dream is for all to remember just this. I'd like to see friendship develop among strangers and this friendship grow even deeper among acquaintances.”

Another supporter, Eric Latzky, who works with the New York Philharmonic, stated: “It is my dream to see the New York Philharmonic -- America's Orchestra -- perform for the world at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic Games in New York. Our Orchestra is made up of the very best musicians from around the globe. It is an international group of thoroughbreds, just like the Olympic athletes who will compete here.”

New York is competing against four other cities for the right to host the Olympic Games and Paralympic in 2012: London, Madrid, Moscow and Paris. The International Olympic Committee will name the Host City for the 2012 Games on July 6, 2005, in Singapore.

# # #

-more-

-3-

City of Dreams – Olympians and Athletes who have shared their Olympic Dreams for New York City (Highlights)

Lance Armstrong:

One of the benefits of having the Games in New York City is that once the facilities are built for the Games, they are there forever. With that comes participation from the local youth and, hopefully, future champions.

Oksana Baiul:

I usually skate great in New York. The city suits my energy because I cannot really sit in one place more than half an hour! I have to constantly go somewhere here or there, run and do things. That’s why I love New York. Definitely I think for the athlete, it would be great.

Bob Beamon:

New York means everything to me and the Olympics in New York would just be absolutely incredible. It's mainly because I grew up in New York City that I know what it takes to get a gold medal. I bet you that the world will be here when those Games come.

Nadia Comaneci:

I carried the Olympic torch in New York City at the 2004 Olympic torch relay. Or rather, I flew over the city and landed in the middle of Times Square with tens of thousands of people watching me light the Olympic cauldron. It was one of many incredible experiences I’ve had in New York which began when I was just a 14-year-old gymnast who scored my first perfect 10 at Madison Square Garden.

Tim Duncan:

You definitely feel the diversity in New York. Being from the islands, there’s a large island contingent down there. I think no matter where you’re from, I think you can find a piece of yourself there, and that’s what kind of makes the city great. I think it’s got so many different cultures, so many different types of food, so many different experiences. I think it’s a great place for experiences more than anything else.

Justin Gatlin:

I’m a native New Yorker and I always have this great feeling when I’m running in New York. For me, no crowd can beat those who gather for a sports event – any sports event – in New York City.

-more-

-4-

Manu Ginobili:

I think that the biggest feeling in New York is when you walk around. You feel that different kind of flavors from different countries, it is beautiful. I think all of us, all the players, every time we play the Knicks, we enjoy being in Manhattan a lot because it is so special so different to all the other cities. Then when you are on the court too, because well every time I go there you see a lot of Argentinean flags. There is a big Latin community, especially Argentinean. I enjoy it a lot every time I go there.

Mia Hamm:

If the Games come to New York, they are going to lay out the red carpet and make everyone feel welcome and show you why they are so proud of this city, because it has a heartbeat like no other. I think New York is an absolutely wonderful place for the Olympics to be.

Paul Hamm:

I love a really big crowd and that’s what I always encounter in New York City. You can see the ability that New York has to host large events. But the crowds in New York are not just huge, they’re also engaged. When we’re competing here, you can feel the crowd roar when someone sticks their dismount. It’s very energizing.

Bruce Jenner:

I am a New Yorker and I am an Olympian, so maybe that makes me a good representative for the 2012 Olympic Games. And I am so excited about the opportunity that New York could host an Olympic Games. The Games are near and dear to my heart. I love the Games, I love New York, and I think it would just be a great opportunity. Not only for the city and for the United States but for the world to see the Olympics come to New York City.

Magic Johnson:

I always enjoyed competing in front of a New York crowd. They are among the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in the world. I love L.A. but there’s always been something special about New York – it is our biggest stage. My participation in the 1992 Olympic Games was among my career highlights and the Games in New York will surely be a shining moment for the world’s best athletes.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee:

When the Games are here in New York, people from all over are going to come. You might be a fan of someone from Finland, you might be a fan of someone that’s from Germany or Russia. But the one thing you'll know is that you’re rooting on some of the best athletes in the world to do their very best. People from all over the world will come to New York City and see the best in the world perform at their very best.

-more-

-5-

Bela Karolyi:

I believe that everybody’s dream, and every athlete’s dream, is to be part of an Olympic Games right here. New York City, the unique pulse, the unique energy of the town, it would be the best host in the world. And every athlete’s dream would come alive in 2012 in New York City.

Nicolas Massu:

I like to have Chilean people in the spectators. New York City is a big, big city. There’s a lot of people from different parts of the world, so it’s going to be very nice. I hope that there’s more Chileans than anybody from the other countries. But the atmosphere to play there with a lot of people – different countries, different languages – I think it’s going to be very nice.

Yao Ming:

I can still remember my first game at The Garden. That night, I was unprepared for the kind of welcome that awaited me. We were playing against the home team, the New York Knicks, but listening to the fans cheer and scream, you wouldn’t know which was the home team. There were so many fans from New York’s Chinatown They were wearing red and holding up signs in Mandarin urging the crowd to cheer for me. It was heartwarming to see so many familiar faces among the crowd.

Dikembe Mutombo:

I believe that New York City will be an incredible city to host the 2012 Olympic Games. It is the only US city that embodies a melting pot of cultures and people from all over the world, inspiring youth and spectators alike. Athletes who will compete in the Games will enjoy the city, its security, its nightlife. There are many things to do. Athletes will also be able to visit the United Nations, attend a Security Council meeting, tour the Statue of Liberty and all others neighborhoods in the city. It is a very good city which people will definitely enjoy.

Michael Phelps:

New York is a great city. There are just so many great qualities about it. I’ll probably swim until 2012. Hopefully that’ll be my last Olympic Games and it would be an honor and a privilege to be able to finish up my career in the U.S.

Andy Roddick:

The New York crowds are electric. I’ve had the pleasure of playing there many night sessions at the U.S. Open. And you give them an inch, and they’re gonna give you everything they have for however long it takes to get a win. They’re enthusiastic, and they really get into it. So I can only imagine how exciting it would be to play in your home country at the Olympics in front of fans like that.

-more-

-6-

Ian Thorpe:

I’m looking at the 2012 bid coming to New York. I plan to swim until 2008 but if the Olympic Games come to New York in 2012, I will most definitely reconsider retirement. There’s a possibility I may still be around (although I’ll be an old man then!).

Ronan Tynan:

It’s a dream to actually compete in New York. The people are amazing, the atmosphere is ecstatic, the generosity of the people is just overwhelming.

Serena Williams:

I think if you’re gonna come to New York City, you’ll just feel this amazing atmosphere. And the spirit that New Yorkers have is amazing, and just the fight that they have, and the drive that they have, and their heart. It’s just so different from any other place in the whole world that I’ve ever been to. And that’s what makes New York so special.

Venus Williams:

Competing in New York City is like no other. The atmosphere is unbelievable. I think there’ll be no better place for the Olympic Games, and I feel absolutely certain it will be wonderful here.

Yasuhiro Yamashita:

If the Olympics would be held in a big city like NY in 2012, it could provide an opportunity to attract people and learn the fun of playing Judo. Judo is acknowledged in the world but not as yet in America. It would be nice if the Olympics would be held in NYC because it would widen the appeal of Judo among Americans.

# # #

Contact: NYC2012

Laz Benitez – 646-587-5426/Iva Benson – 646-587-5490

Rubenstein Associates, Inc. – Public Relations

Dina Barsky – 212-843-8024/Kathy Lynn – 212-843-8023