INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 31, 2013 – In 2013, the Nastia Liukin Cup returns to the DCU Center and Worcester, Mass., where the inaugural event was held in 2010, on March 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the 2013 Nastia Liukin Cup, which features some of the country’s top Junior Olympic gymnasts, are on sale now. The Nastia Liukin Cup is held the night before the American Cup, one of the most prestigious international invitationals.
Tickets for the Nastia Liukin Cup are $30 and may be purchased by phone at 800-745-3000; online at www.ticketmaster.com; at all Ticketmaster outlets; through participating gym clubs; or at the DCU Center Ticket Office. Ticket prices include facility fees and taxes but do not include convenience fees. Tickets for the American Cup, an International Gymnastics Federation World Cup event scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on March 2, range in price from $39.50-$150 and are also on sale. Discounted tickets for the Nastia Liukin Cup are available from participating clubs in the local area.
Gymnasts competing in the Nastia Liukin Cup qualify through one of the 19 invitational meets included in the Nastia Liukin Cup Series, which spans from mid-January through late February. A designated number of gymnasts from each invitational will advance to the Nastia Liukin Cup. To see which gymnasts have already qualified for this year, go to usagym.org.
The invitational meets included in the 2013 Nastia Liukin Cup Series are listed below.
- Circle of Stars Gymnastics Invitational, Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 11-13
- The Atlanta Crown Invitational, Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 11-13
- Pikes Peak Cup, Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 18-20
- CGA Coaches Spectacular, Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 18-20
- Kim Zmeskal’s Texas Prime Meet, Irving, Texas, Jan. 18-20
- Lady Luck Invitational, Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 18-20
- Sand Dollar/Whitlow Invitational, Kissimmee, Fla., Jan. 25-27
- Wisconsin Dells Gymnastics Vacation Classic, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Jan. 25-27
- Parkettes Invitational, Allentown, Pa., Jan. 25-27
- San Diego Classic, San Diego, Calif., Jan. 25-27
- Fiesta Bowl Invitational, Chandler, Ariz., Feb. 8-10
- Charity Choice Invitational, Tacoma, Wash., Feb. 8-10
- IGI Chicago Style, Chicago, Ill., Feb. 8-10
- Gliders Invitational, Ontario, Calif., Feb. 8-9
- The Magical Classic, Orlando, Fla., Feb. 15-16
- Buckeye Classic, Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 15-17
- Presidential Classic, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Feb. 15-17
- WOGA Classic, Frisco, Texas, Feb. 15-17
- Arizona Sunrays Classic Rock Invitational, Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 15-17
Gymnasts who compete in the Nastia Liukin Cup will receive a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite; two tickets to the American Cup and recognition during the event; and the opportunity to meet Liukin and participate in a team photo.
A portion of the proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Cup benefits the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund in partnership with the National Gymnastics Foundation (www.usagym.org/foundation).
Background information
-
Nastia Liukin. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Liukin’s total of five medals tied the U.S. gymnastics record for most medals in one Olympic Games, held by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Shannon Miller (1992). Liukin’s Olympic medals are: gold – all-around; silver – team, balance beam and uneven bars; and bronze – floor exercise. Liukin was the third of four U.S. women to win the Olympic all-around crown. She also won nine World medals in her career. Liukin has graced many magazine covers and appeared on various shows, including "Gossip Girl," "Make It or Break it," and the feature film, "Stick It." She was also chosen as one of 2009’s most influential women by MSN Lifestyle. Liukin is now attending college in New York City. Last fall, she was a member of the creative team and a cast member for the Kellogg’s Tour of Olympic Champions, a national, 40-city tour that followed the 2012 Olympic Games. Liukin was coached by her father, Valeri, who has four Olympic medals from 1988 including two gold.
-
American Cup. The 2013 American Cup, an FIG World Cup event, is one of the most prestigious international invitational events and features an all-around format. The list of former champions comprises some of the sport’s best-known names, including Jordyn Wieber, Nastia Liukin, Jonathan Horton, Bart Conner, Paul Hamm, Shawn Johnson, Shannon Miller, Carly Patterson, Mary Lou Retton and Peter Vidmar.
-
DCU Center. A multi-purpose arena and convention center uniquely designed to accommodate the needs of any size group from 15 to 15,000, the DCU Center is owned by the City of Worcester and managed by SMG, the world’s leading private management and developing firm for public assembly facilities. Headquartered in Philadelphia, SMG provides management services to over 200 public assembly facilities internationally and also offers food and beverage operations through SAVOR… Catering by SMG. For more information, please visit www.dcucenter.com.