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INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 21, 2014 – The 2014 Elite Challenge and Levels 5-7 National Championships for trampoline and tumbling will be held at the Spokane (Wash.) Convention Center June 12-15. More than 1,100 athletes are expected to compete in men’s and women’s trampoline, tumbling, synchronized trampoline and double mini-trampoline at the four-day event.

Aca A Trampoline and tumbling events are entertaining and family friendly,Aca A said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. Aca A The high-flying tricks and skills are guaranteed to thrill and impress spectators of all ages, especially the competition on the junior and senior levels. The support of the Spokane Sports Commission and the city’s facilities made awarding the event to Spokane an easy choice.Aca A

The Spokane Sports Commission worked with USA Gymnastics to bring the event to Spokane and will assist with organizing and staging the competition. Spokane Gymnastics will also be involved as part of the local organizing committee.

"Spokane has a long history of hosting large, prestigious sporting events generating impressive support from our community," said Eric Sawyer, Spokane Sports Commission president and CEO. "With a dedicated local organizing committee hard at work, we know USA Gymnastics will be thrilled they selected Spokane for this event."

The Elite Challenge showcases the USA’s top gymnasts in the four elite levels. The Elite Challenge is part of the selection process for the U.S. National Team and the athletes who will represent the USA at the World Championships and World Age Group Competition. If the USA qualifies for the Youth Olympic Games, the event is the final selection event to determine the U.S. representative for the Youth Olympic Games. The Levels 5-7 National Championships determines the U.S. titlists for the Junior Olympic, age-group Levels 5-7.

Trampoline events involve athletes using trampolines that can propel them up to 30 feet in the air, during which they can perform double and triple twisting somersaults. Tumbling utilizes elevated rod-floor runways that enable athletes to jump at heights more than 10 feet and execute a variety of acrobatic maneuvers. For the double-mini competition, the athlete makes a short run, leaps onto a small two-level trampoline, performs an aerial maneuver and dismounts onto a landing mat. Trampoline was added to the Olympic Games in 2000, and at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the USA had its first athlete in history advance to the finals.