John Hancock Champions On Ice 2002 Olympic Tour Offers Spectacular Winter Games Encore

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John Hancock Champions on Ice, the next best thing to a first class trip to the Olympics, opens an ambitious 86-city Olympic Tour Wednesday, April 3, 2002 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The world's finest skaters, fresh from international competition at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, will be featured as tour founder Tom Collins celebrates his 24th season of Champions on Ice with the largest and longest outing in skating history. Beginning April 3rd, the tour will travel the country until mid-August, bringing Olympic-caliber skating and entertainment to the towns and cities of the United States.

"This is our Olympic tour de force," says Collins. "We're always thrilled to see the Olympics and this year will have the privilege to enjoy all the extraordinary talent up close. Our job is to bring the magic and excellence of the Olympics to the people of America. It's the next best thing to a front row seat in Salt Lake."

With a cast list from an Olympic highlight reel, the John Hancock Champions on Ice 2002 Olympic Tour will spotlight newly crowned Olympic Champions Sarah Hughes and Alexei Yagudin, along with Michelle Kwan, the 1998 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist, six-time U.S. Champion and 2001World Champion; Evgeny Plushenko, the 2002 Olympic Silver Medalist; Timothy Goebel, the 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist and first American medalist since Paul Wylie in 1992; Irina Slutskaya, 2002 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2002 World Gold Medalist, 2001 World Silver Medalist, Grand Prix and Goodwill Games Champion; and Sasha Cohen, who finished fourth in her first Olympic appearance at Salt Lake.

They will be joined by Champions from Olympic and World competition including Victor Petrenko, Nicole Bobek, Rudy Galindo, Elvis Stojko, Philippe Candeloro and an international who's who of pairs and dance superstars, including Olympic Dance Champions Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat.

John Hancock Champions on Ice 2002 Olympic Tour will visit cities from coast to coast and from border to border. And in true Champions on Ice tradition, each skater will perform to original music and choreography of his or her choosing. Selections help match famous names and faces with personality and style. Tickets are now available for John Hancock Champions on Ice 2002 Olympic Tour at www.championsonice.com. Check with the local arena box office, online ticket agencies and ticket outlets for more information on individual shows.

Champions on Ice is a presentation of Tom Collins Enterprises, completing its 24th season of providing the finest in skating entertainment. Members of the media that wish to obtain updated tour information, including downloadable photographs and skater profiles, may visit www.championsonice.com/media.