REDWOOD SHORES and STANFORD, Calif., April 16, 2002 -- Oracle Corp., the world’s largest enterprise software company, and the Track & Field Foundation on Tuesday announced that Oracle is the title sponsor for the U.S. Open June 8 at Stanford University’s Cobb Track and Angell Field. The meet, being held for the third straight year, is the third stop on USATF's Golden Spike Tour.

The world-class Oracle U.S. Open attracts the best track and field competitors from around the world. Last year’s U.S. Open featured more than 40 Olympians from over 20 countries, including Olympic gold medalist Stacy Dragila, who twice broke her own world record in the women’s pole vault during the 2001 US Open. The 2002 Oracle U.S. Open, an IAAF Grand Prix I event, will be broadcast on CBS on Sunday, June 9th, from 4-5 p.m. Eastern Time.

“Oracle is pleased and excited to be the title sponsor of this prestigious athletic event,” said Judy Sim, Oracle vice president of Corporate Marketing. “Our business is to help make the world’s biggest corporations work faster and better, and stay steps ahead of their competition. The U.S. Open is a great fit with that goal. We’re looking forward to working with the Track and Field Foundation to play a key role in making the Bay Area the place to come for great track and field competition.”

“This is a tremendous vote of confidence for the Bay Area’s fans and facilities and for track and field in the U.S. from one of the most important corporations in the U.S.,” said Nancy Ditz, chair of the Track & Field Foundation. “We and Oracle look forward to hosting a spectacular meet, one that will be savored by athlete and spectator alike.”

Stanford also will host the 2002 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships June 21-23, as well as the 2002 USA USA Junior Championships June 21-22.

“With their outstanding facilities, ideal weather, great fans and incredible track and field programs, the Bay Area, and in particular Stanford, is the perfect place to host the 2002 and 2003 Outdoor National Championships,” said Craig Masback, CEO of USATF. “Combined with the Oracle U.S. Open, if you are an athlete or a fan of track and field the place to be this June will be Stanford and the Bay Area.”

"The new capital of track and field in America is Stanford University in the San Francisco Bay Area," said Anne Cribbs, President and CEO of the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee (BASOC) and 1960 Olympian. "We look forward to building an even greater partnership between USA Track & Field and the San Francisco Bay Area this year and for the years to come."

Leading up to the Oracle U.S. Open and the Junior and Senior Nationals will be a series of track and field clinics to be held at local middle schools and youth organizations. The clinics will begin in April and run thou May. As in previous years, this year’s Oracle U.S. Open will also include free sports clinics for kids ages 14 and under. Taught by professional athletes and coaches, these clinics have attracted hundreds of youngsters, who learn tips and techniques that help them improve their skills in a variety of sports. This year’s clinics will be held the afternoon of the U.S. Open at Cobb Track and Angell Field.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.trackandfieldusa.org or call 1-800-STANFORD.

About the Track & Field Foundation

The Track and Field Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established to promote and foster track and field, educate the public regarding track and field and encourage participation in the sport at all levels through its sponsorship of local, national and international track and field competitions.

About Oracle

Oracle is the world's largest enterprise software company. For more information about Oracle visit www.oracle.com.