INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., March 13, 2008- USA Gymnastics began its Road to Beijing in New York City’s fabled Madison Square Garden with the Tyson American Cup. Fans hear first-hand what it’s like for the USA’s top gymnasts to compete in one of the country’s most famous arenas in front of cheering crowds, especially one with a special gymnastics tradition, 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).
Gymnastics legends and Olympic champions Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner, Shannon Miller and Mary Lou Retton give insight into the importance of doing well at a competition like the Tyson American Cup to gain momentum heading into the Olympic Games.
The USA’s top gymnasts talk about the importance of trying new routines, staying focused and having fun at competitions before the Olympic Games. Fans hear from Alexander Artemev of Lakewood, Colo., Raj Bhavsar of Houston, Paul Hamm of Waukesha, Wis., and Jonathan Horton of Houston, as well as Shawn Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa, Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, Samantha Peszek of Indianapolis, Ind., and Shayla Worley of Orlando, Fla.
"USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team" is a joint initiative of USA Gymnastics and AT&T.
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.