© John Cheng

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 5, 2011 — The 2011 CoverGirl Classic, the final qualifying event for women’s gymnastics for the 2011 Visa Championships, returns to Chicago and the UIC Pavilion, located on the University of Illinois – Chicago campus. Tickets are currently on sale at a discounted price through local gymnastics clubs and become available through Ticketmaster on April 8. The junior and senior elite competition, which features some of the USA’s top female gymnasts, is scheduled for July 23.

Three price levels are available for both the single day ticket and the entire event ticket, which includes the U.S. Challenge sessions on July 22 and 24. Public all-day tickets, which include admission to both the junior and senior elite sessions, go on sale April 8 for $32, $42 or $52, plus applicable convenience fees. An all-session ticket package, which provides access to both the elite and U.S. Challenge sessions, ranges from $49-$79 plus convenience fees. Ticket prices for both packages already include any facility fees. Discounted tickets are now available through local gym clubs participating in the Gym Club Ticket Sales program. Beginning on April 8, tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800.745.3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. For more event and ticket information, visit www.covergirlclassic.com.

USA Gymnastics is partnering with World Sport Chicago to bring the CoverGirl Classic to Chicago. The two organizations worked together on the 2009 American Cup, the 2009-10 Chicago Cup and the 2010 CoverGirl Classic. CoverGirl is sponsoring the event for the third straight year.

The junior and senior elite sessions are on Saturday, July 23, with the juniors competing at 11:30 a.m. and the seniors at 7 p.m. The U.S. Challenge competition, which features up-and-coming gymnasts, is scheduled for Friday, July 22, at 1 p.m. and Sunday, July 24, at 10 a.m. All times are Central.

The 2011 Visa Championships, USA Gymnastics’ national championships, are Aug. 17-20 in Saint Paul, Minn. The U.S. champions for men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics are determined at the Visa Championships. Artistic gymnastics will be held at the Excel Energy Center, and rhythmic gymnastics is set for the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at Saint Paul RiverCentre. The USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show, held in conjunction with the Visa Championships, also will be staged at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.

Background information

UIC Pavilion: Located on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago–just minutes from Downtown. The UIC Pavilion is one of the Midwest’s finest arenas. In its brief history, it has hosted many special or one-of-a-kind programs. The UIC Pavilion hosts concerts, UIC sports, boxing, meetings, festivals, and corporate, civic, and cultural events. The UIC Pavilion is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena, located at 525 S. Racine Street Chicago IL, 60607.

World Sport Chicago: World Sport Chicago, the legacy of Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid, believes that sport has the power to transform lives and is dedicated to helping children in Chicago find a sport to meet their interests and abilities. The organization promotes the Olympic ideals of fitness, education and well-being by working with partner organizations to launch or expand sport programs for kids. WSC is working to introduce Chicago’s youth to the fun and benefit of sports and the ideals of fair play, teamwork, respect and leadership.