Olympic Gold Medalists and World Champions Alexei Nemov, Svetlana Khorkina and Houston’s Shannon Miller and Sean Townsend Among Competitors

Indianapolis – The most accomplished stars in the sport of gymnastics, including Houston’s own 2001 World Championships Gold and Silver Medalist Sean Townsend, are headed to the University of Houston’s Hofheinz Pavilion for the Reese’s Gymnastics Cup December 1, at 7 p.m.

The following gymnastics champions will star in the entertainment-style team competition, many of whom successfully earned 2001 World Championships medals. The U.S. men’s team earned an unprecedented silver medal at the 2001 World Gymnastics Championships, October 28-November 5, in Ghent, Belgium, while the U.S. women earned bronze.

MEN
  • Alexei Nemov – four-time Olympic Gold Medalist from Russia, twelve total Olympic medals in his career
  • Sean Townsend – (Houston, Texas) 2001 World Gold and Silver Medalist, 2001 U.S. National Champion, 2000 Olympian
  • Paul Hamm – 2001 World Silver Medalist, 2000 Olympian
  • Stephen McCain (Houston, Texas) – 2001 World Silver Medalist, 2000 Olympian
  • Jordan Jovtchev – 2001 World Gold and Silver Medalist for Bulgaria, 2000 Olympic Bronze Medalist
  • John Roethlisberger – 2000, 1996 and 1992 Olympian, six-time World Team member, four-time U.S. National Champion
  • John Macready – 1996 Olympian, 1997 and 1995 World Team Member
  • Lance Ringnald – 1992 and 1988 Olympian, 1993, 1991 and 1989 World Team Member
WOMEN
  • Svetlana Khorkina – 2001 and 1997 World Champion from Russia, 2000 and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist
  • Shannon Miller (Houston, Texas) – most decorated U.S. gymnast in history with seven Olympic medals (two gold, two silver and three bronze) and nine World Championships medals
  • Tasha Schwikert – 2001 World Bronze Medalist, 2001 U.S. National Champion and 2000 Olympian
  • Jamie Dantzscher – 2000 Olympian and 1999 World Team Member, 2001 NCAA Champion
  • Mohini Bhardwaj – 2001 World Championships Bronze Medalist, 2001 NCAA Champion
  • Elena Produnova – 2000 Olympic Games Silver Medalist from Russia, 1999 World Silver Medalist
  • Yvonne Tousek – 2000 and 1996 Olympian for Canada, 1999, 1997, 1996 and 1995 World Team
  • Chari Knight-Hunter – seven-time NCAA All-American for Oregon State, 1991 U.S. National Team
“Houston has a rich Olympic tradition and will be an excellent host for the Reese’s Cup, especially after having been named a U.S. finalist for the 2012 Olympic Games,” said Bob Colarossi, USA Gymnastics President. “Local gymnastics stars Miller, Townsend and McCain are sure to provide an evening of world-class entertainment.”
The 2001 Reese’s Gymnastics Cup will be judged by celebrities from the sports world including Houston’s 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Lou Retton and her legendary coach Bela Karolyi, 1991 World Gymnastics Champion Kim Zmeskal, 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Moceanu, 2000 and 1996 Olympian Blaine Wilson and the Houston Comets’ Sheryl Swoopes.
Tickets for the Reese’s Gymnastics Cup are available at the University of Houston Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at 713-629-3700 and Ticketmaster.com. See: TICKET-INFO