INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., July 8, 2008 – The nine members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men’s Gymnastics Team, along with confirmed women’s team members Shawn Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, talk about the excitement of representing the United States in Beijing in the newest episode of “USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team,” the online series available only on the AT&T blue room Team USA site (www.attblueroom.com/teamusa). The episode centers on the activities surrounding the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics, which were held in Philadelphia, Pa. In addition to the Olympians (pending approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee), fans can also hear from several of the 10 women who were selected to attend the women’s Olympic selection camp in late July and are in the hunt to make this year’s women’s Olympic team.
The members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men’s Gymnastics Team are: Joseph Hagerty of Rio Rancho, N.M./Team Chevron; Morgan Hamm of Waukesha, Wis./Team Chevron; Paul Hamm of Waukesha, Wis./Team Chevron; Jonathan Horton of Houston/Team Chevron; Justin Spring of Burke, Va./Team Chevron; and Kevin Tan of Fremont, Calif./Team Chevron. The three replacement athletes are: Alexander Artemev of Morrison, Colo./Team Chevron; Raj Bhavsar of Houston/Team Chevron; and David Durante of Garwood, N.J./Team Chevron.
The men, Liukin and Johnson speak about the pressure of competing well at the Olympic Trials and how they have worked hard for a long time to make the Olympic Team. Fans also get to hear from some of the USA’s other top women who talk about the Olympic Trials and being chosen for the final selection camp. Among those featured are: Jana Bieger of Coconut Creek, Fla.; Ivana Hong of Blue Springs, Mo.; Chellsie Memmel of West Allis, Wis.; Samantha Peszek of Indianapolis, Ind.; Bridget Sloan of Pittsboro, Ind.; and Alicia Sacramone of Winchester, Mass.
Johnson and Liukin were the two women nominated to the U.S. Olympic Team because they finished first and second, respectively, at the Olympic Team Trials. The balance of the women’s team will be determined following the selection camp in late July.
“USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team” is a joint initiative of USA Gymnastics and AT&T.
AT&T U-verse TV customers can watch episodes of “USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team” by accessing the U-verse VOD library.
Visitors to the AT&T blue room Team USA site can sign up to receive e-mail alerts when new “Behind the Team” episodes are launched. Visitors can also download a free, customizable USA Gymnastics Desktop Communicator. The Communicator includes an RSS news feed, alerts users to breaking gymnastics news, runs a countdown to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, displays weather information for selected ZIP codes and showcases special promotions and offers.
The AT&T blue room Team USA site gives sports fans intimate access to U.S. Olympic Team hopefuls across a range of sports. AT&T is an official partner of USA Gymnastics.
All U-verse TV customers have access to the U-verse VOD library, which features a variety of free and rental VOD titles. U-verse VOD offers titles the same day as DVD releases, Spanish and international movies, classic and independent films, family and kids programming, television series on demand, and exclusive content.
Customers who want additional information on AT&T U-verse TV — or to find out if it’s available in their area — can visit http://uverse.att.com. U-verse TV customers can get more information about U-verse TV programming and television events by visiting http://uverse.att.com/uconnect.
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.