INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Aug. 2, 2007 — Gymnastics clubs across the country will host various events – including gym open houses, fitness challenges and cartwheel-a-thons – to celebrate National Gymnastics Day on Aug. 4, 2007. National Gymnastics Day is also the culmination of the Tyson Fitness Challenge, a joint initiative of USA Gymnastics and Tyson Foods that has two goals:  helping today’s kids get more physically fit through fun activities; and raising money to help kids who are fighting illnesses through Children’s Miracle Network.

 

“National Gymnastics Day has become a wonderful way to build awareness of gymnastics and its many benefits, as well as to raise money for a worthy cause, the Children’s Miracle Network,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.  “Physical fitness is an important part of everyone’s life, and the Tyson Fitness Challenge allows children involved in gymnastics to help other kids.”

 

Established in 1999, National Gymnastics Day is a platform to showcase the many benefits of gymnastics, as well as promote the ideals of physical fitness and community service nationwide. Since partnering in 2001, USA Gymnastics and its gym clubs across the country have raised more than $645,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network through a variety of activities. In February, USA Gymnastics announced its goal to raise that total to $1 million by 2008.

 

Geared toward youngsters, ages 4-16, the Tyson Fitness Challenge is not about teaching gymnastics skills, but using gymnastics to help kids become more physically fit, as well as learn about a well-balanced diet. The culmination of the Tyson Fitness Challenge is voluntary participation in raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. Participants and clubs obtain pledges for achieving a set number of elements in a specified time, whether it is fitness-related skills, cartwheels, flips, etc.

 

The club that raises the most money for Children’s Miracle Network will receive the grand prize of a vault table, valued at $3,332, in addition to Tyson coupons and a one-year USA Gymnastics club membership. The top-three individuals who raise the most money for Children’s Miracle Network will receive a trip for two to the 2008 Tyson American Cup, competition and pre-event VIP hospitality passes and a one-night stay in the USA Gymnastics host hotel. In 2006, Massachusetts Gymnastics Center in Boston raised $18,305, the most by any club, and was featured on the 2007 National Gymnastics Day poster along with Andrew Wise, from Sonshine Gymnastics Academy in Conway, Ark., who raised $2,578, the most money by an individual. 

 

Clubs have planned a number of activities, some of which are listed below. To see what gymnastics clubs in your area are doing for the Tyson Fitness Challenge and National Gymnastics Day, visit www.usa-gymnastics.org/tysonfitnesschallenge.

·         USA Gymnastics will host an event at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Ind., with Tyson Fitness Challenge demonstrations by local