INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 5, 2005 – Earlier today 2004 Olympic team silver-medalists Brett McClure of Mill Creek, Wash., and Jason Gatson of Mesa, Ariz., along with Raj Bhavsar of Houston, withdrew from the | 2005 VISA CHAMPIONSHIPS |, Aug. 10-13, in Indianapolis due to inadequate recovery time from injuries. Gymnastic fans will still have the opportunity to see one member of that historic 2004 team in action at the Visa Championships: three-time Olympian Blaine Wilson of Columbus, Ohio, will be in Indianapolis demonstrating the skills and talent that helped win the men’s Olympic silver medal last year in Athens, Greece.
McClure has a strained ligament in his elbow, and Bhavsar has a strained hand. Gatson is still recovering from recent knee surgery.
“While these three will be missed, Blaine and a number of rising stars will still treat gymnastics fans to men’s gymnastics at its best,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “I know that each of these fine athletes is disappointed, but they need to be fully recovered in order to compete at their highest level. The USA has a lot of talented young, male gymnasts, and Indianapolis is the perfect stage for them to start their campaign for Beijing.”
The Visa Championships include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and acrobatic gymnastics. Artistic gymnastics is held at Conseco Fieldhouse, with rhythmic gymnastics and acrobatic gymnastics staged at the Indiana Convention Center.
Tickets for the 2005 Visa Championships may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, over the phone at 317-239-5151 or at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office. For additional ticket information, see | 2005 VISA CHAMPIONSHIPS |.