11 countries set to compete in USA Gymnastics’ Tyson American Cup in Philad

In addition to the United States, the Tyson American Cup field is expected to feature gymnasts from Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Netherlands, Romania and Russia. Participating athletes will be announced closer to the event.  The 2006 Tyson American Cup is also the first international event in the United States, and one of the first in the world, to use the new scoring system for gymnastics that allows gymnasts to earn scores above the traditional 10.0.

“This year’s Tyson American Cup will have one of the most competitive fields it has had in the last few years,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.  “We have returned to the traditional all-around format to showcase these incredible athletes.  A strong field and the debut of the new scoring system are the right combination for a dramatic and dynamic event.”

Tickets are $25, $35 and $75 and may be purchased through several different avenues: via phone at 888.OWLS.TIX; online at liacourascenter.com; or in person at the Liacouras Center Box Office.  Competition on March 4 starts at 11:30 a.m. Ticket-holders for March 4 may also attend the preliminary round on March 3 at 11:30 a.m.

For 2006, the Tyson American Cup returns to its traditional all-around format. On March 3, 12 men and 12 women will vie for the eight respective spots in the finals on March 4, which will be televised live on NBC Sports at 1 p.m. ET.

Former Tyson American Cup all-around gold medalists are a veritable who’s who of gymnastics:  men — Jason Gatson, Blaine Wilson, John Roethlisberger, Vitaly Scherbo (Belarus), Tim Daggett, Peter Vidmar, Mitsuo Tsukahara (Japan), Kurt Thomas and Bart Conner; and women — Carly Patterson, Elena Zamolodchikova (Russia), Kerri Strug, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Kim Zmeskal, Kristie Phillips, Mary Lou Retton, Julianne McNamara, Stella Zakarova (USSR) and Nadia Comaneci (Romania).  In 2005, the Tyson American Cup was a World Cup event and its format named individual event champions; the USA’s Alexander Artemev, Alicia Sacramone, Chellsie Memmel and Nastia Liukin won gold medals.

The Tyson American Cup was first held in 1976.  Past sites include:  New York City (1976-80, 1982-84, 2004); Ft. Worth Texas (1981, 1996-98); Indianapolis, Ind. (1985); Fairfax, Va. (1986-90, 2003); Orlando, Fla. (1991-94, 2000-02); Seattle, Wash. (1995); St. Petersburg, Fla. (1999); and Uniondale, N.Y. (2005). 

Global Spectrum, the fastest growing firm in the public assembly facility management field with more than 45 facilities throughout the United States and Canada, manages the Liacouras Center. The Philadelphia-based company is part of one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor, which also owns the Wachovia Center and Wachovia Spectrum; the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League; the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association; the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League; Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks; Comcast SportsNet, a regional sports programming network; Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider; New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities; and Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company. Comcast-Spectacor owns three minor league baseball teams – the Bowie Baysox, the Delmarva Shorebirds and the Frederick Keys – all affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States.  Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport.  Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics.  For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.