© Team Photo

GREENSBORO, N.C., July 7, 2018 – 2018 U.S. junior rhythmic all-around champion Elizabeth Kapitonova of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora Rhythmic Gymnastics, and Alyssa Oh of Rocklin, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, will represent the United States in the Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 in rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline, respectively. Today the two won their respective selection competitions held in conjunction with the USA Gymnastics Championships, which wrap up today at the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum Complex.

The Youth Olympic Games are slated for Oct. 6-18, 2018, in Buenos Aires Argentina. The United States qualified for men’s gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and women’s trampoline. The male gymnast will be determined later this year. All athlete selections for the Youth Olympic Games are pending approval by the United States Olympic Committee.

In rhythmic gymnastics, Kapitonova earned an eight-routine score of 120.937, which included the all-around scores from the Youth Olympic Games selection event and the USA Gymnastics Championships. Kapitonova’s event scores were: hoop, 32.101 (16.184/15.917); ball, 31.184 (15,334.15,850); clubs, 29.801 (14.817/14.984); and ribbon, 27.851 (13.417/14.434). Lennox Hopkins Wilkins of Puyallup, Wash./Evergreen Rhythmics, finished second and is the alternate. Her all-around total was 114.685.

Oh earned a two-routine score of 96.855 to edge past Kayttie Nakamura of Honolulu, Hawaii/Hawaii Academy, who posted a 96.165, for the top score. Oh’s routines earned a 43.545 and a 53.310. Nakamura, whose routine scores were 43.505 and 52.660, is the alternate for women’s trampoline.

The Youth Olympic Games are designated for athletes ages 15-18 from around the world, along with non-competitors such as young reporters, ambassadors and athlete role models, to forge a spirit of competitiveness and camaraderie.

With the Youth Olympic Games headed to Argentina on Oct. 6-18, 2018, this marks the first time the summer event will be held outside of Asia, and it’s also the first time a YOG will be held in the Americas. The two previous Winter Youth Olympic Games were held in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2014 and Lillehammer, Norway, in 2016.

Since the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, the Summer Games have been contested every four years with the Winter Games in the even-numbered year between them.

The Youth Olympic Games are guided by a Learn & Share program based around five main themes: Olympism, Social Responsibility, Skills Development, Expression, and Well-Being and Healthy Lifestyles.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that empowers and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has already taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, log on to usagym.org.