Location: Osaka, Japan

Venue: Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium

Dates: September 28-October 3, 1999

Purpose: The Rhythmic World Championships determine the best rhythmic gymnasts in the world. The top five countries at the World Championships qualify two athletes to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. The remainder of the 24 total individual athletes at the Olympic Games will be chosen from the World Championships all-around competition, and/or various continental competitions.

United States World Team:

Jessica Howard, Jacksonville, Fla. (International Rhythmic Gymnastics)
Kate Jeffress, Rockville, Md. (International Rhythmic Gymnastics)
Suzanne Pearson, Lakewood, Colo. (Atlanta International Rhythmic Gymnastics Center)

Coaches:

Efrossina Anguelova, Jacksonville, Fla. (International Rhythmic Gymnastics)
Marina Davidovich, Atlanta, Ga. (Atlanta International Rhythmic Gymnastics Center)