Gymnastics City USA rolls into San Jose

San Jose becomes Gymnastics City USA this week in celebration of the USA Gymnastics Championships for rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline and the U.S. Olympic Trials – Gymnastics.

June 25, 2012

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 25, 2012 – San Jose becomes Gymnastics City USA this week in celebration of the USA Gymnastics Championships for rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline and the U.S. Olympic Trials – Gymnastics. From world-class competition to the USA Gymnastics National Congress and Tradeshow to the fun of the Visa Fan Fest and AT&T Block Party, the gymnastics world will converge this week in San Jose.

By week’s end, 12 Olympic dreams – five men’s gymnasts, five women’s gymnasts, one men’s trampolinist and one women’s trampolinist – will come true, when the athletes who will represent Team USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London are named.

"USA Gymnastics is taking over San Jose, and it’s the perfect place for the final stop on the Road to London," said USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny. "Fans will have the chance to see our Olympic Teams named and enjoy the fun and festivities of the Visa Fan Fest and the AT&T Block Party."

Fifteen athletes, half of the field, competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials – Gymnastics have at least one World or Olympic medal to their name, combining for an incredible 37 World and Olympic medals.

Rebecca Bross, Plano, Texas/WOGA: 2009 World Championships- all-around silver, uneven bars bronze; 2010 World Championships – team and balance beam silver, all-around and uneven bars bronze.
Jake Dalton, Reno, Nev./University of Oklahoma: 2011 World Championships – bronze, team.
Gabrielle Douglas, Virginia Beach, Va./Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance: 2011 World Championships – team gold.
Jonathan Horton, Houston/Team Hilton HHonors (Cypress Gymnastics): 2008 Olympic Games – horizontal bar silver, team bronze; 2010 World Championships – all-around bronze; 2011 World Championships – team bronze.
Steven Legendre, Port Jefferson, N.Y./Team Hilton HHonors (University of Oklahoma): 2011 World Championships – team bronze.
Danell Leyva, Miami/Team Hilton HHonors (Universal Gymnastics): 2011 World Championships – parallel bars gold, team bronze.
Nastia Liukin, Parker, Texas/WOGA: 2005 World Championships – uneven bars and balance beam gold, all-around and floor exercise silver; 2006 World Championships – team, uneven bars silver; 2007 World Championships – team and balance beam gold, uneven bars silver; 2008 Olympic Games – all-around gold, team, uneven bars and balance beam silver, floor bronze.
McKayla Maroney, Long Beach, Calif./All-Olympia: 2011 World Championships – team and vault gold.
Alex Naddour, Gilbert, Ariz./Team Hilton HHonors (USA Youth Fitness): 2011 World Championships – team bronze.
John Orozco, Bronx, N.Y./Team Hilton HHonors (U.S. Olympic Training Center): 2011 World Championships – team bronze.
Aly Raisman, Needham, Mass./Brestyan’s American Gymnastics – 2010 World Championships – team silver; 2011 World Championships – team gold, floor bronze.
Alicia Sacramone, Winchester, Mass./Brestyan’s American Gymnastics: 2005 World Championships – floor gold, vault bronze; 2006 World Championships – team and vault silver; 2007 World Championships – team gold, floor silver, vault bronze; 2008 Olympic Games – team silver; 2010 World Championships – vault gold, team silver; 2011 World Championships – team gold.
Bridget Sloan, Pittsboro, Ind./Sharp’s Gymnastics: 2008 Olympic Games – team silver; 2009 World Championships – all-around gold; 2010 World Championships – team silver.
Sabrina Vega, Carmel, N.Y./Dynamic Gymnastics: 2011 World Championships – team gold.
Jordyn Wieber, DeWitt, Mich./Gedderts’ Twistars USA: 2011 World Championships – team and all-around gold, beam bronze.

Competition at the USA Gymnastics Championships for rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline begins on Tuesday, June 26, at the San Jose Convention Center. The event serves as the final of three Olympic selection events for trampoline. The U.S. Olympic Trials – Gymnastics runs from June 28-July 1. A brief overview of each of the competitions is included below.

The five men and women who will represent the United States in men’s and women’s gymnastics, as well as the male and female for trampoline, at the 2012 Olympic Games in London will be determined in San Jose, subject to the approval of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s board of directors.

Also, it will be easier than ever to follow the competition and fan events online. Schedules, the official program and general information for both fan and competition activities, including start lists, live scoring and more will be available at www.sanjose2012.com. USA Gymnastics is also providing enhanced coverage of the events on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Fans can connect with gymnastics enthusiasts around the world by using the official hashtag of the event, #SanJose2012.

Single-session tickets range in price from $36-$102, including facility fees. The prices vary according to seat location and session. Four multi-session and all-session ticket packages are still available. Multi-session packages, ranging in price from $78 to $236, include a 3-day weekend package; a two-day women’s package; a two-day men’s package; and a finals package featuring the final day of competition for both men and women. All-session ticket packages, which include all four competition sessions and range in price from $135 to $533, are also still available.

All tickets may be purchased through ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, at all Ticketmaster outlets and the HP Pavilion Ticket Office. In recognition of Visa’s long-time support, USA Gymnastics is proud to accept only Visa at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials – Gymnastics, along with cash. For more information and details on the ticket packages, go to www.sanjose2012.com.

Competition Overview

U.S. Olympic Trials – Gymnastics

Women’s Competition

Three 2008 Olympians, Liukin, Sacramone and Sloan, are hoping to become the first American women to earn berths on consecutive Olympic teams since Amy Chow and Dominique Dawes in 2000. Six-time World medalist Bross is also in the field.

Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo, Calif./Gym-Max Gymnastics, Elizabeth Price of Coopersburg, Pa./Parkettes, and Sarah Finnegan of St. Louis, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, who finished fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the all-around at the 2012 Visa Championships, lead an impressive group of five first-year seniors that complete the field along with Kennedy Baker of Flower Mound, Texas/Texas Dreams, and Brenna Dowell of Odessa, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express.

Men’s Competition

The field also includes four NCAA all-around champions in Dalton (2012), Horton (2008), Legendre (2009) and Sam Mikulak of Newport Coast, Calif./University of Michigan (2011), who won the bronze medal in the all-around at the 2012 Visa Championships.

Three members of the 2011 Pan American Games team, which won the bronze medal, are expected to compete: C.J. Maestas of Corrales, N.M./University of Illinois; Paul Ruggeri of Manlius, N.Y./University of Illinois; and Brandon Wynn of Voorhees, N.J./Team Hilton HHonors (Ohio State University), who was a member of the 2010 World team.

The men’s field is completed by three NCAA standouts: Alex Buscaglia of Cary, Ill./Team Hilton HHonors (Stanford University), the 2011 NCAA high bar champion; Josh Dixon of San Jose, Calif./U.S. Olympic Training Center, 2009 and 2011 NCAA team champion; and Glen Ishino of Santa Ana, Calif./University of California – Berkeley, the 2012 NCAA pommel horse champion.

USA Gymnastics Championships for rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline

Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition

Joining Zetlin, who will represent the United States in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2012 Olympic Games, are the USA’s other top rhythmic gymnasts on the senior national team: Jazzy Kerber of Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center; Polina Kozitskiy of Fountainville, Pa./Philadelphia Rhythmic Academy; and Rebecca Sereda of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora.

Trampoline Competition

Jeffrey Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands, N.J./ETA, Steven’s younger brother, is currently in second place in the Olympic selection rankings with 40 points, followed by Logan Dooley of Lake Forest, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, 34 points; Michael Devine of Winnebago, Ill./J&J Tumbling and Trampoline, 25 points; and Neil Gulati of Irvine, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, 14 points.

For the women, the top five according to the Olympic selection points system are: Vinsant, 46 points; Dakota Earnest of Plains, Texas/Acrospirits; Shanelle Landry of Lafayette, La./ETA, 25 points; Alicia Powder of Ladera Ranch, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, 16 points; and Alaina Williams of Amarillo, Texas/Acrospirits, 14 points.

Fan Activities

From morning fitness at the Circle of the Palms to the Visa Fan Fest and the AT&T Block Party outside the HP Pavilion, fans will have plenty of opportunities for fun while they enjoy the exciting week of competition in San Jose.

The following is a quick overview of the fan activities available during the U.S. Olympic Trials and comprise Gymnastics City USA. For the most up-to-date and complete information on all event and fan activities, go to www.sanjose2012.com.

Morning fitness. Residents, fans and members of the gymnastics community can start the day off right with an early morning workout at the Circle of Palms, located across from Plaza de Cesar Chavez, on June 28-29. Beginning at 6:30 a.m., the hour-long workout will be led by Olympian John Macready and other well-known gymnastics celebs.
Opening Ceremony. Gymnastics enthusiasts and the general public are invited to the opening ceremony on Thursday, June 28, at 12 p.m. located near HP Pavilion on Autumn and Santa Clara Streets. Local and gymnastics dignitaries, Olympians and celebrities will be on hand as the U.S. Olympic Trials kick off with renaming Autumn Street, raising the Olympic flag, and the grand opening of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Road to London.
- Road to London Tour. The U.S. Olympic Committee’s Road to London Tour, opening on June 28 at noon, creates the atmosphere of the Olympic and Paralympic Games through interactive and media elements that allow fans to experience what it will be like on the field of play in London. The activities include pedaling through the Olympic cycling venue with progress shown on interactive TV monitors; taking photos of weightlifting moves; shooting a basketball while sitting in a wheelchair; comparing digital rifle shooting skills against the records of U.S. athletes; and reading messages from Team USA athletes as well as posting messages for friends and family via social media. For more information, visit TeamUSA.org.
Visa Fan Fest. Fans can gather for fun before the gymnastics sessions on June 29-July 1 at the Visa Fan Fest, held at the Arena Green adjacent to HP Pavilion. The Visa Fan Fest will be a great place to mingle and enjoy the activities, including the Road to London, Painting at the Park, the USA Gymnastics Fitness Zone, and other interactive activities, along with music, autographs, face painting, balloon art, gymnastics demonstrations and interviews with well-known gymnastics figures. The schedule is June 29, 3:30-5:30 p.m.; June 30, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; and July 1, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Painting in the Park. Gymnastics fans and citizens of San Jose can help create an original painting that will become a part of the history of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials — Gymnastics. Interested individuals will have the opportunity to dip their hands and/or feet into paint and do handstands, cartwheels or walk across the canvas, developing a communal piece of art. Painting in the Park will be available during the Visa Fan Fest and AT&T Block Party. Those expected to participate include gymnasts competing in the event, local and gymnastics celebrities and dignitaries, gymnastics fans, aspiring gymnasts and residents of San Jose. Pieces of the canvas will be presented as special gifts to selected organizations and individuals affiliated with the event. Painting in the Park is presented by Art of the Olympians, founded by Cathy Oerter and her late husband, Al, who was a four-time Olympic discus champion.
- USA Gymnastics Fitness Zone. Kids can have fun and gain knowledge about the importance of fitness through the interactive USA Gymnastics Fitness Zone. The zone features activities in building strength, flexibility and cardiovascular exercise.
- Interactive booths and games. Kids and adults will enjoy a variety of interactive booths from companies like Hilton, AT&T, Kellogg’s and Procter and Gamble.
AT&T Block Party. The Arena Green, located next to HP Pavilion, will come alive after the competition on June 30 and July 1 with the AT&T Block Party. In addition to the activities of the Visa Fan Fest, the AT&T Block Party has the added elements of live entertainment, food and drink. In addition to well-known gymnasts, the members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team for gymnastics will be introduced on July 1.
WGYM. Two-time Olympic gold-medalist Shannon Miller and 2007 U.S. all-around champion and Stanford grad David Durante will host WGYM, the in-house radio broadcast for men’s and women’s gymnastics. WGYM provides running commentary on the competition, as well as fun facts about the sport and the competitors. Radios will be available at the HP Pavilion.
Merchandise. Fans can purchase everything gymnastics from event-specific tees to the newest leotards at the HP Pavilion, Visa Fan Fest and AT&T Block Party. The U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics are proud to accept only Visa, along with cash.

Television, webcast and YouTube coverage

NBC Sports Network, formerly Versus, will broadcast the first day of men’s competition live on June 28 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. ET. Then, NBC will broadcast live coverage on television and at NBCOlympics.com of the remaining three days of competition: women’s day one, June 29, 9-11 p.m. ET; men’s final day, June 30, 4-6 p.m. ET; and women’s final day, July 1, 9-11 p.m. ET.

Television coverage of the women’s competitions on June 29 and July 1 will be tape delayed in the Pacific and Mountain time zones but available live nationwide online. For a complete schedule of NBC’s coverage, click here.

USA Gymnastics will provide coverage of podium training prior to the event, as well as post-competition interviews and more on its official YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/usagymnaticsorg.

Background information

HP Pavilion. HP Pavilion at San Jose, managed by Sharks Sports & Entertainment, hosts nearly 100 sporting events annually including more than 40 San Jose Sharks regular season home games and the SAP Open men’s professional tennis tournament. The building hosts approximately 170 events every year — including Olympic athletes, Grammy award-winners and a variety of family and children’s favorites that account for more than 200 event days. Pollstar, the leading concert industry trade magazine, nominated HP Pavilion at San Jose as "Arena of the Year" for 2005 and 2007. In 2007, Pollstar also recognized HP Pavilion at San Jose based on non-sports attendance as fourth in North America, top 10 in the world. Over the past 10 years, HP Pavilion at San Jose has consistently been in the Top 5 in North America and top 10 in the world.
San Jose Sports Authority. The San Jose Sports Authority is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the City of San Jose’s economic development, visibility and civic pride through sports. Serving as the City’s sports commission since its inception in 1991, the Sports Authority has provided leadership and support to attract and host hundreds of sporting events in San Jose and the South Bay. The Sports Authority also supports and operates community, youth and amateur sports programs, including the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, The First Tee of San Jose, and the REACH Youth Scholarship Program. To learn more, visit www.sjsa.org.
City of San Jose. From its founding in 1777 as California’s first city, San Jose has been a leader, driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San Jose stands as the largest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley—the world’s leading center of innovation. The city, the 10th largest in the United States, is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business, to work and to live. For more information, visit www.sanjoseca.gov.
San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau (SJCVB). The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau (SJCVB), a 25 year old organization focused on enhancing the image and economic well being of San Jose, is managed by Team San Jose, a unique customer service model that works in partnership with local hoteliers, organized labor, local arts leadership and business community to provide a one-team approach to all event-planning needs. Team San Jose manages the San Jose Convention Center and multiple theaters in Downtown San Jose, including the San Jose Civic, Parkside Hall, Center for the Performing Arts, California Theatre and Montgomery Theater. For more information, visit www.sanjose.org.
San Jose Hotels Inc. (SJHI). San Jose Hotels Inc., is a hotels-led, non-profit business improvement district representing 35 San Jose-based hotels. SJHI leverages destination investment focused on event sponsorship, marketing and public relations to attract conventions, events and meetings to San Jose through a unique partnership with Team San Jose and the SJCVB.