INDIANAPOLIS, May 17, 2012 – As part of its annual celebration of the sport on National Gymnastics Day, this year USA Gymnastics is teaming with First Lady Michelle Obama and her Let’s Move! initiative in cooperation with The Partnership for a Healthier America to get children introduced to fitness. Mrs. Obama addressed Team USA at the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Media Summit last Monday in Dallas, laying out the Let’s Move! initiative’s goal to get more kids moving. The program hopes to engage more than 1.7 million new young people in sports in 2012 through its work with many National Governing Bodies, including USA Gymnastics.

Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity so that children will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. The program shares similar goals as National Gymnastics Day, including putting children on the path to a healthy future during their early years.

"National Gymnastics Day is all about getting new children exposed to the sport of gymnastics and fitness. And, to team up with First Lady Michelle Obama and her Let’s Move! initiative for this year’s National Gymnastics Day will make Sept. 22 even more memorable," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.

The theme for this year’s National Gymnastics Day is preparing to "Turn the World Upside Down" to commemorate the Olympic Games in London and the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions. To celebrate the sport and mark the day, gymnasts, coaches, gymnastics clubs and fans alike are invited to turn upside down at 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 22. Then, snap a photo and share it, along with the number of individuals participating, on the USA Gymnastics Facebook page. The goal is to exceed the 20,478 individuals who set the world record for simultaneously performed handstands in 2011.

Many clubs around the United States use the National Gymnastics Day event as a fundraising component for the Children’s Miracle Network. Money raised through the National Gymnastics Day celebrations will benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in each club’s local community. Since 2001, gymnastics clubs across the country have raised more than $1.5 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. More than 400 clubs nationwide and their members raised $120,050 as part of their celebrations for National Gymnastics Day in 2011. And, we hope to increase these numbers for 2012.

Background information

  • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America, which, in turn, uses the money where it’s needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, ensuring that every dollar is helping local kids. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of our mission to save an improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at CMNHospitals.org.

  • The Partnership for a Healthier America. The Partnership for a Healthier America fills a unique niche among childhood obesity initiatives across the United States. In collaboration with Let’s Move!, the Partnership will work alongside the Federal government to build target industry-specific solutions to fight obesity that can be measured and tracked. Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity so that children will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. First Lady Michelle Obama launched this program February 9, 2010.