Note: On Jan. 19, Supergirl was announced as the title sponsor of the Nastia Liukin Cup. The new name of the event is the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Aug. 11, 2009 – USA Gymnastics and Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, the 2008 Olympic all-around champion, have joined forces to provide a competitive opportunity for the country’s top Junior Olympic gymnasts, the Nastia Liukin Cup. Proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Cup will go into the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund within the National Gymnastics Foundation.

“USA Gymnastics is honored to partner with Nastia in creating this unique opportunity for young gymnasts,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “Nastia’s gymnastics accomplishments are incredible. She is known and respected for her integrity, sportsmanship and sense of fair play. Her interest in helping others and dedication to gymnastics led to the creation of the Nastia Liukin Cup and Nastia Liukin Fund.”

“I love gymnastics, and it has given me the opportunity to achieve my dreams and goals,” said Liukin, who has a total of nine world and five Olympic medals to her credit. “Gymnastics has given me so much, and now I want to give back to the community that has supported me for my entire career. I am excited about the development of the Cup, which will give athletes an elite competitive opportunity, and the creation of the Nastia Liukin Fund that will enable me to help others through scholarships or charitable support.”

The inaugural Nastia Liukin Cup is scheduled for March 5, 2010, at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. The Nastia Liukin Cup will be held the evening prior to the prestigious Tyson American Cup and use the event’s podium.

Gymnasts will be chosen to participate in the Cup from a series of invitationals known as the Nastia Liukin Cup Series. The Series will be promoted throughout the competitive season with individual meets each selecting a minimum of two athletes to compete in the Cup from their respective fields. The events already committed to participate in the NLCS are listed below.

  • CGA Parents Club Coaches Spectacular, Covington, Ky., Jan. 15-17
  • Flip Fest Invitational, Knoxville, Tenn., Jan. 15-18
  • Cereal City Classic, Kalamazoo, Mich., Jan. 22-24
  • Rock-n-Roll Classic, Broadview Heights, Ohio, Jan. 22-24
  • Parkettes Invitational, Allentown, Pa., Jan. 29-31
  • Wisconsin Dells Gymnastics Vacation Classic, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Jan. 29-31
  • The Fiesta Bowl Classic, Chandler, Ariz., Feb. 5-7
  • IGI Chicago Style Meet, Chicago, Ill., Feb. 12-14
  • WOGA Classic, Frisco, Texas, Feb. 13-14
  • Buckeye Classic, Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 19-21
  • Circle of Stars, Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 19-21
  • Excalibur Cup, Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 19-21
  • Pikes Peak Cup, Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 19-21
  • Presidential Classic, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Feb 19-21
  • The Long Beach Open, Long Beach, Calif., Feb. 26-28

Gymnasts who qualify for the Nastia Liukin Cup will receive a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite; two tickets to the Tyson American Cup and recognition during the event; and the opportunity to meet Nastia Liukin and participate in a team photo.

In the first year, net revenues from the Nastia Liukin Cup will be utilized as scholarships for young gymnasts who show ability and have a financial hardship through the Nastia Liukin Fund.

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, currently held by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Shannon Miller (1992). Liukin’s medals are: gold – all-around; silver – team, balance beam and uneven bars; and bronze – floor exercise. Liukin is just the third U.S. woman to win the Olympic all-around crown. Earlier in 2008, Liukin won the all-around title at both the Tyson American Cup and the Pacific Rim Championships presented by Gillette Venus. Liukin has nine world medals to her credit: She was named the USOC’s Co-Sportswoman of the Year, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s 2008 Individual Sportswoman of the Year and the United States Sports Academy Female Athlete of the Year. Liukin and her teammates on the 2007 U.S. Women’s World Championships Team were selected as the 2007 U.S. Olympic Committee’s Team of the Year. Liukin is still competing and is coached by her father, Valeri, who has four Olympic medals from 1988, including two gold. She trains at WOGA.