KANSAS CITY, MO.—Jennie Thompson (Cincinnati, Ohio) will not compete in the finals of the World Team Trials due to illness. Thompson, 18, has an upper respiratory infection with acute sinusitis and is being treated with antibiotics.

Thompson’s petition onto the World Championships team has been accepted. She will compete in Tianjin, China at the World Championships in October 9-16.
Thompson was ranked first after competing in Thursday evening’s preliminary competition. She finished second in the all-around at the 1999 American Classic and third all-around at the 1999 John Hancock U.S. Championships last month. Thompson’s second place finish at the Classic allows her to petition onto the World Team.
“We are making sure Jennie has the proper care she needs before the World Championships,” said Kathy Kelly, women’s program director. “Allowing Jennie to petition directly onto the World Team will give her additional time to rest so that she can perform at her highest level in China.”
Thompson, who trains at Cincinnati Gymnastics, competed in the 1997 World Championships. She won the Visa American Cup earlier this year.