CHINA, 20th January, 2004 - Giorgio Armani announced the publication in May of a special charity book entitled Facce da Sport / Faces of Sport, as part of a fundraising and awareness campaign on behalf of Special Olympics, the international movement whose aim is to build a world of acceptance and joy through sports and in so doing, to change attitudes globally towards people with intellectual disabilities. The book's publication has been especially planned for 2004, a milestone year for international sport, with the Summer Olympic Games taking place in Athens and the European Football Championships in Portugal.

On January 11th, the opening day of the Fall / Winter 2004 Milan Men's Fashion Week, a special preview edition of Facce da Sport / Faces of Sport will be presented with a party and an exhibition of photographs from the book in the Armani/Arte gallery at the Armani / Via Manzoni store in Milan. The photo exhibition will remain open to the public until March 1st, 2004.

Giorgio Armani commented: "This promises to be a memorable year for sport with the Summer Olympic Games returning to Greece, their country of origin, and the European Football Championships being held in Portugal. I see sportsmen and women as the modern day gladiators, captivating us both on and off the field. In this book I have set out to record my collaborations with some of the world's most talented and exceptional athletes, among whom are several truly inspiring Special Olympics athletes. Thanks to the vision of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics movement in 1968, today more than 1.2 million individuals with intellectual disabilities are being served in more than 150 countries around the world."

Armani continued, "In sport we see people strive for excellence, both mentally and physically, and it is this drive that I admire. Many of the portraits in the book focus on the faces of the subjects. People are always fascinated by the bodies of athletes, but the secret of their drive, ambition and passion can be seen in their faces and can be interpreted through their expressions. For this reason, many of the portraits in this book focus on the face. These are the Faces of Sport."

Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics, said, "The faces of our athletes, side by side with their better known peers, are an invitation to the world to think differently about their ability. Their presence is a challenge to every reader of this wonderful book to volunteer, to coach, or to play alongside Special Olympics athletes so that no person will be turned away from the joy of sport, from the pleasure of participation and the pride of being recognized. Thank you, Giorgio Armani, for sharing our vision and for showing the world that there is nothing more fashionable than welcome and acceptance for all."

Facce da Sport / Faces of Sport, will be published in May by the art publishing house Skira, and is divided into three sections - Portraits, In Action, In Armani. Included among over 400 pages of photography are images of footballers Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Francesco Totti, Andriy Shevchenko, Christian Vieri, David Beckham, David James and Thierry Henry; rugby union players Dan Luger and Lawrence Dallaglio; basketball players Kevin Garnett and Rick Fox; baseball players Cal Ripken Jr and Alex Rodriguez; swimmers Domenico Fioravanti and Ian Thorpe; tennis players Serena Williams, Andy Roddick, Pete Sampras and Boris Becker; boxers Oscar de la Hoya and Lennox Lewis; golfer Tiger Woods; athletes Maurice Greene and Carl Lewis; and, Special Olympics athlete Kester Edwards.

Both Carl Lewis and Kester Edwards joined Eunice and Timothy Shriver as front row guests at Giorgio Armani's Men's Fashion Show in Milan on Thursday, January 15th.

Commenting on the project, tennis champion Serena Williams said, "This was one of the most enjoyable projects with which I've been involved. I am honored to be included with such a diverse group of champions, for such a valuable and worthwhile cause." While, track and field legend, Carl Lewis, said, "It's a genius idea to break down the barriers and redefine the concept of the front row of fashion with Special Olympics. Everyone has a seat in the house of Armani."

About Special Olympics Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for more than 1 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. Visit Special Olympics online at www.specialolympics.org.

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Contact: Grace Yu / Pinky Chau
Giorgio Armani Hong Kong Limited
Tel: (852) 2599 - 2766 / 2713
www.armanipress.com

Kirsten Suto
Special Olympics
Tel: (1) 202 715 1147
www.specialolympics.org