Lake Placid, N.Y., will host 2007 Trampoline and Tumbling World Cup in April

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The world’s best trampoline and tumbling gymnasts from approximately 25 countries are expected to compete in the World Cup USA, April 1-2, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. The competition is the first event in the 2007-08 World Cup series and counts toward qualification for the 2008 World Cup Final.

“We are proud to host the top trampoline and tumbling gymnasts at the World Cup USA,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “We expect the sport’s biggest names to come to Lake Placid to compete before going north to the next World Cup event in Quebec City, Que. This is a rare opportunity for fans to see first-hand the best trampolinists and tumblers in the world as they prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games. Lake Placid is well-known for its rich history and tradition in winter sports, and we are excited to give them the chance to see a high-flying event from a summer Olympic sport.”

Hosted by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), the World Cup USA format consists of three events: the Olympic discipline of trampoline, synchronized trampoline and tumbling. The qualification round for trampoline and tumbling is on April 1, while the qualification round for synchronized trampoline is on April 2. Finals for all events are on the evening of April 2. The finalized schedule with specific times will be announced following the confirmation of athlete entries. This year’s competition is the first time Lake Placid has hosted a trampoline and tumbling World Cup. Admission to the World Cup USA is free for both days of competition.

“It’s exciting for us to get involved in the dynamic sports of trampoline and tumbling,” said ORDA President and CEO Ted Blazer. “Our organization has prided itself over the years in taking on new projects and offering world class events. To collaborate with such a high-profile summer group as USA Gymnastics shows the diversity of our staff. Many of us at ORDA and in Lake Placid are familiar with gymnastics through television. Now we’re happy to say that we had a hand in bringing the sport to life for our residents and visitors.”

Each country may enter up to four men and four women in both trampoline and tumbling and no more than two men’s and two women’s teams in synchronized trampoline. Eight men and eight women will qualify for the final round in the individual events, while eight teams will qualify in synchronized trampoline. International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) rules state that no more than two athletes per country can advance to the final round of each individual event. The international field and the U.S. Team for the World Cup USA will be announced at a later date.

World Cup USA is the first trampoline and tumbling World Cup held in the United States since 2002 when the event was in Greensboro, N.C.

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Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics.