U.S. Women’s Team at the 2006 Pacific Alliance Championships
© Steve Lange

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 18, 2007 – San Jose, Calif., will again showcase the best in gymnastics when the city plays host to the 2008 Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships, March 28-30. The three-day international event features the top gymnasts from 14 countries, including powerhouses China, Japan and the USA, competing in the Olympic disciplines of men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline.  Artistic gymnastics will be held at the San Jose State University Event Center, with rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline slated for the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.

 

“San Jose has just hosted one of the most, if not the most, successful Visa Championships ever, and we are excited to bring one of the top international team competitions to this great city,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.  “The Pacific Alliance Championships will give fans in San Jose a first-hand look at the gymnasts who have their eyes on Beijing.”

 

Held every two years, the field for the Pacific Alliance Championships features gymnasts from 14 countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Korea and Russia. NBC Sports will televise action from the Pacific Alliance Championships.  Tickets are expected to go on sale this fall.

 

“Building on the incredible excitement of the successful Visa Championships in San Jose this week, we look forward to working, once again, with this great Northern California gymnastics community and USA Gymnastics,” said Patricia Ernstrom, executive director of the San Jose Sports Authority.  “Along with our partners at San Jose State and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, we are thrilled to be hosting such a prestigious international competition in San Jose.”

 

Medals will be awarded for team, all-around and individual events for men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. Individual events will be contested in trampoline.

 

World champions Nastia Liukin and Chellsie Memmel tied for the women’s all-around title at the 2006 Pacific Alliance Championships held in Honolulu.  In 2004, both Carly Patterson and Paul Hamm won gold medals before becoming 2004 Olympic all-around champions.