Wrestling fans will receive an opportunity to watch some of the best wrestlers on the planet compete as top freestyle competitors from the United States will face off against some of the best wrestlers from Russia in the Chicago Cup.

The dual meet is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007 at Welsh-Ryan Arena on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Ill.

The event also will include four exhibition matches featuring World-class athletes in Greco-Roman and women's freestyle. Two U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers will face opponents from China with two American women battling top opponents from Canada.

"This event will showcase America's top wrestlers in heated competition against the best wrestlers in the World," said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling's Executive Director. "Fireworks are sure to fly as the athletes attempt to establish themselves on the World's elite stage."

Past Olympic Silver Medalists Sammie Henson and Sara McMann, along with 2004 Olympian Daniel Cormier, are among the American athletes scheduled to compete.

Henson (Flintstone, Ga./Sunkist Kids), a past World Champion, will wrestle against the Russian team in freestyle at 55 kg/121 lbs. Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) will compete at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. McMann (Iowa City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) will wrestle in an exhibition match in women's freestyle at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.

Illinois natives Lindsey Durlacher (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) and Mary Kelly (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) also are scheduled to compete. Durlacher, a 2006 World Bronze Medalist who is from Buffalo Grove, Ill., is scheduled to compete in Greco-Roman at 55 kg/121 lbs. Kelly, a 2006 World Team member who is from Mahomet, Ill., will compete in women's freestyle at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.

The team from Russia also is expected to compete at the Dave Schultz Memorial International Open on Feb. 8-10 in Colorado Springs, Colo. 

Complete rosters and lineups for the event will be released next week.

 CITY OF CHICAGO AND CHICAGO 2016 ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF WORLD SPORT CHICAGO

The City of Chicago and Chicago 2016 announced today the formation of World Sport Chicago, a long-term alliance that will promote the development of amateur sport and international competition in the Chicagoland area. The announcement was made at a press conference by Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago 2016 Chairman Patrick G. Ryan, who were joined by area student-athletes, Olympians and local partner organizations.

"As we have said all along, Chicagoans are passionate about amateur and international sports, and World Sport Chicago will display this passion for all to see," said Mayor Daley. "This organization demonstrates that the city's commitment to sports and the Olympic Movement will continue well past 2016."

"World Sport Chicago was formed when we realized the need for a more coordinated effort to promote the development of amateur sport across Chicago," added Pat Ryan. "We intend to provide to this organization, and its leadership, the resources and expertise to show the world how passionate Chicago is about supporting, and hosting, international sport."

World Sport Chicago will work to enhance the image, awareness and participation in Olympic and amateur sports across Chicago with the goal of giving athletes the opportunity to see and experience sport across all levels. Michael Conley, former Olympic and world champion in the triple jump, who most recently has been serving as the Executive Director of Elite Athlete Programs for USA Track & Field, has been named the executive director of the organization.
 
"The formation of World Sport Chicago displays the city's long-term commitment to international and domestic amateur sports, both before and after the 2016 Olympic Games," said Conley. "As an Olympian, I will ensure this organization strives to abide by the Olympic Movement and spirit while promoting sport at all levels throughout the Chicagoland area." 

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 will work to promote the development of recreational and competitive sports throughout the region. A major component of the organization's programs will be hosting clinics that provide kids the opportunity to train with world-class athletes.

The organization will be established as an independent 501(c)3 corporation, and the Athlete's Advisory Council (AAC) of Chicago 2016 will provide strategic counsel, as appropriate. Conley will manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. Wrestling world champion and Olympic Medalist Bill Scherr will serve as chairman of the board.
 
The first major event hosted by World Sport Chicago will be the "Chicago Cup," an exhibition wrestling match between the U.S. national team and Russia, the defending world champions. The event, which is in partnership with USA Wrestling, will take place at 7:15 p.m. on February 6th at the Welsh-Ryan Arena on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston.

The event will also include four exhibition matches featuring world-class athletes in Greco-Roman and women's freestyle. Two U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers will face opponents from China with two American women battling top opponents from Canada.

"The USA vs. Russia wrestling match is a great example of the type of event World Sport Chicago will bring to the area," said Scherr. "Fans will have the chance to see our national team take on the very best wrestlers in the world in a major international competition that will make for a historic day in Chicago sports."

For more information on World Sport Chicago and Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics, visit www.Chicago2016.org.  For more information on the "Chicago Cup:  USA vs. Russian World Champions," visit www.themat.com.