The information below is a summary of the official selection procedures, which are posted in their entirety on USA Gymnastics Web site. This is not an official document, but is intended to give the media a quick look at the procedures for naming the U.S. gymnasts that will compete in the 2007 Pan Am Games. The USA qualified for the 2007 Pan American Games through performances at each discipline’s 2005 Pan American Championships.

2007 Pan American Games
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
July 13-29

Gymnastics competition dates
Artistic: July 14-17
Rhythmic: July 26-28
Trampoline: July 15-17

Credentials: through U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC)

Artistic gymnastics
Rio Olympic Arena at Speedway Sports Complex

The Rio Olympic Arena is part of the Speedway Sports Complex, where the Rio International Speedway has hosted several important international competitions, including Formula 1, Indy/CART and Motovelocidade. The Rio Olympic Arena is one several new facilities managed by the Prefecture of Rio de Janeiro.

Rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline
Riocentro Sports Complex (IBC / MPC)

Opened in 1977, Riocentro is Latin America‘s largest exhibition center. It has hosted a number of large events, including the United Nations Earth Summit (ECO 92) and the Rio Oil & Gas Expo 2002. Managed by the Prefecture, it has five pavilions. Rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline will be held in Pavillion 3. The Main Press Center and the International Broadcasting Center are also located at the Riocentro Convention Center.

The information below is a summary of the official selection procedures, which are posted in their entirety on USA Gymnastics Web site. The USA qualified for the 2007 Pan American Games through performances at each discipline’s 2005 Pan American Championships.

Artistic gymnastics

Women
The U.S. Women’s Team, which will feature six gymnasts, for the 2007 Pan American Games will be chosen from the Pan Am Training Squad at the conclusion of the Pan American Team Final Selection Camp, July 1-4, at the Women’s National Team Training Center.

Selection to the Pan Am Training Squad is a combination of American Classic results and discretionary selection criteria. The senior all-around champion from the American Classic automatically is nominated to the training squad. Eight additional athletes will be selected to the training squad from among the competitors at the American Classic and petitioned athletes. The Pan American Games Training Squad will include the six members of the Pan American Games Team and three replacement athletes.

Some of the criteria the committee will consider when selecting the members of the team are: team needs and medal potential; results from international and national competitions; difficulty scores; routine performance “hit” consistency; composite strength of all the Pan American Team members; routine execution; world-class presentation; competitive readiness that allows for maximum performance; and demonstrated professional attitude and ability to positively contribute to the team dynamic.

Athletes must be 14 years of age and a U.S. citizen.

Men
The six members of the men’s team for the Pan American Games, as well as at least one replacement athlete, will be chosen by the Pan American Games Team Selection Committee following the U.S. Men’s Qualifier, the 2007 Pan American Games selection event on June 9.

To compete in the selection event, gymnasts must meet minimum scoring criteria, which will be published at least 60 days prior to the event. Scores must be earned at an FIG or USA Gymnastics sanctioned event using the current FIG rules.

The team will be chosen from the competitors at the selection event or from petitions to the team. The Pan American Games Team Selection Committee will consider the following factors when selecting the six Pan American Team members and potential replacement athlete(s): results from the 2007 Pan American Games selection event; percentage of hit routines by the gymnast in the selection competition; start values (A Score) and execution (B Score) on each apparatus from the 2007 Pan American Games selection event; points ranking system derived from the 2007 Pan American Games selection event competitive results; and past domestic and international performance and experience.

Any petitions must be submitted in writing and must state the specific injury, illness or unusual circumstance that prohibited the athlete from participating in the competitive process. Petitioning athletes must also be able to demonstrate through past competitive results from USA Gymnastics or FIG sanctioned events that they are competitive in the field with other athletes qualified for the 2007 Pan American Selection Event.

Athletes must be a minimum of 15 years of age and a U.S. citizen.

Rhythmic gymnastics
The USA may enter two athletes in the rhythmic gymnastics competition at the 2007 Pan American Games. Replacement athletes will also be named.

Age-eligible members of the U.S. National Team will be invited to a selection camp in June. The highest-ranked gymnast from the competition at the selection camp will be nominated to the 2007 Pan American Games Team. The second athlete will be chosen by the Selection Committee at the conclusion of the camp. Petitions are limited to the top five senior athletes from the 2007 Rhythmic Challenge and must be submitted in writing, stating why she is unable to participate in the selection camp.

The criteria the committee will consider include: results from the 2007 Rhythmic Challenge; routine performance “hit” consistency; results from international and national competitions; international experience; competitive readiness that allows for maximum performance; medal potential; and demonstrated professional attitude and ability to contribute positively to the team dynamics.

The gymnast must be at least 14 years of age and a U.S. citizen.

Trampoline
The U.S. Pan American Team for trampoline will be comprised of two men and two women, who must be members of the senior trampoline team and must have competed in the 2007 U.S. Elite Challenge, May 10-12. Replacement athletes will also be named.

The male and female gymnasts who are ranked first in the posted points system following the U.S. Elite Challenge will be named automatically to the Pan American Team. Gymnasts earn points based on performances from January 1, 2007, through the conclusion of the 2007 U.S. Elite Challenge. The points chart is available on USA Gymnastics Web site.

The second male and female gymnasts, as well as replacement gymnasts, will be selected by the Selection Committee. The criteria used by the selection committee include: past domestic and international performance; international experience and performance; routine performance “hit” percentage; and demonstrated professional attitude and ability to positively contribute to the team dynamic.

Current or former senior national trampoline team members may petition to the Pan American Team by submitting a written petition that outlines an injury, illness or other unforeseen circumstance exists which prevents him/her from competing in or completing one of the qualifying events.

Gymnasts must be at least 17 years of age and a U.S. citizen.