Indianapolis – The finest gymnasts from the United States, China and Romania will go head to head at the 2001 Pontiac American Team Cup, March 30-31 at 7:00 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. The competition will be hosted locally by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and OHANA Hotels of Hawaii.
“We are excited to partner with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and OHANA Hotels of Hawaii to bring the Pontiac American Team Cup to Honolulu, the first international gymnastics competition held in Hawaii in almost 15 years,” said Bob Colarossi, USA Gymnastics President. “We’re certain that the city of Honolulu and the local gymnastics community will provide friendly hospitality and support for the U.S. and international athletes.”
The United States, China and Romania are expected to field an impressive line-up of gymnasts for the Pontiac American Team Cup. The event will mark the international debut for many American, Chinese and Romanian gymnasts who are contenders for spots on their respective teams at the 2001 and 2003 World Championships and 2004 Olympic Games.
“The Hawaii Tourism Authority is pleased to have played a role in securing this prestigious event for our community,” said Robert Fishman, Hawaii Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer. “This event is well in line with our long term goal of establishing Hawaii as a destination for Olympic caliber competition.”
Each delegation will send a men’s and women’s team consisting of six athletes. Five athletes will compete on each individual apparatus and the top four scores count. The team with the highest point total is the overall team champion.
 
“OHANA Hotels of Hawaii is pleased to be the host hotel company for the 2001 Pontiac American Team Cup,” said Bitsy Kelley, Director-Brand & Business Development, OHANA Hotels of Hawaii. “This is a unique opportunity for OHANA Hotels to emerge as a hotel brand specifically targeting the sports community in Honolulu.”
The 2001 Pontiac American Team Cup will be televised on NBC on April 7 (men) from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and April 14 (women) from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EST.
The Pontiac American Team Cup will be held in conjunction with the Hawaii State Gymnastics Championships.
Tickets will be available February 12 at the Neal Blaisdell Center Box Office at (808) 591-2211, through Ticket Plus at (808) 526-4400 or online at ticketplushawaii.com or tickets.com.

Past Sites and Results of American Team Cup
USA vs. China vs. Romania


2000 – Syracuse, N.Y.

MEN
1. Romania, 225.0752
2. USA, 224.550
3. China, 223.825

WOMEN
1. USA, 151.737
2. Romania, 151.249
3. China, 148.811

      1999 – Richmond, Va.

MEN
1. USA, 224.125
2. China, 219.400
3. Romania, 219.200

WOMEN
1. Romania, 153.612
2. USA, 152.924

3. China, 150.187
1998 – Knoxville, Tenn.

MEN
1. USA, 221.200
2. China, 218.750
3. Romania, 215.500

WOMEN
1. USA, 152.224
2. Romania, 150.889
3. China, 150.662

      1997 – Cincinnati, Ohio

MEN
1. USA, 214.450
2. Romania, 214.050
3. China, 213.500

WOMEN
1. Romania, 148.849
2. USA, 147.873
3. China, 146.899

Gymnastics History in Honolulu

Previous international gymnastics competitions hosted in Honolulu were U.S. vs. China meets in 1986, 1984 and 1981. Among the gymnastics stars who competed at the Neal Blaisdell Center in the dual meets were 1984 Olympic Gold Medalists Peter Vidmar, Mitch Gaylord and Scott Johnson and 1984 Olympic Silver Medalists Kathy Johnson, Julianna McNamara and Michelle Dusserre.