Trinity, NC and Salt Lake City, Utah --The world’s athletes will sleep better due to Sealy, Inc. becoming an Official Supplier of the Salt Lake Games and the 2000, 2002 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Teams.

Sealy, Inc has signed a four-year agreement with the Olympic Properties of the United States (OPUS)—the joint marketing effort between the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC)—to provide about 5,000 mattresses for the Olympic and Paralympic Village in Salt Lake City, media housing during the 2002 Games and the U.S Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo., Lake Placid, NY, and Chula Vista, Calif.

The announcement was made June 5 in Trinity, NC., the headquarters for Sealy, Inc. with its employees, representatives from the U.S. Olympic Committee and Salt Lake Organizing Committee, and four-time Olympian Al Oerter (discus), Olympic swimming gold medallist Brooke Bennett, and three-time U.S. diving champion Mark Ruiz in attendance.

"Sealy is extremely proud to supply beds to United States Olympic athletes," said Ron Jones, chairman/CEO of Sealy, Inc. "We know the importance of a good night’s sleep and the impact it can have in one’s performance the next day. America’s best should benefit from the support of Sealy’s mattresses."

"There is nothing more important than a comfortable, healthy night’s sleep for the athletes competing in the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Mark Lewis, OPUS president and CEO. "Despite their excitement and anticipation about the Games, Sealy’s products will ensure that a good night’s sleep will be one less concern. Sealy’s branded products are the most recognized in the United States, and we are proud to have them affiliated with the 2002 Games and America’s Team."

The 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Village is located on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Olympic Village housing consists of about 20 modern, low-rise apartment and suite-style units. University students are currently living in the first phase of new buildings while construction on the second phase will be completed by late 2000. The Olympic Village accommodates up to 3,500 athletes and officials from 80 National Olympic Committees participating in the Games.

Sealy, Inc. has also entered into an official licensed merchandise agreement with the U.S. Olympic Committee and Salt Lake Organizing Committee to introduce a line of mattress products carrying the USOC and SLOC marks. A portion of the proceeds for the Olympic-licensed mattress sales will go to the USOC for the future athlete training and to SLOC for staging the largest Olympic Winter Games ever.

Sealy, Inc. is the largest manufacturer of bedding in North America, serving more than 7,000 retail outlets from 25 plants in 18 states. Sealy, Inc. produces and Sells a full range of mattresses under the Sealy, Sealy Posturepedic, Sealy Posturepedic Crown Jewel, and Stearns & Foster brand names.

Sealy, Inc. becomes the 37^th corporate participant—18 sponsors and 19 suppliers—for the 2002 Games and the U.S. Olympic Team. Since May of 1999, a total of 24 companies have signed OPUS agreements.