HUNTSVILLE, Texas, Nov. 30 — USA Gymnastics’ Talent Opportunity Program (TOPs) is in its 21st season and still going strong. Sixty three athletes are participating in the three-day National TOPs Team Camp at the Women’s National Team Training Center, at the Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, Texas, Nov. 28-Dec. 2.
The TOPs camps are directed by Valeri Liukin, who has two Olympic gold medals and coached his daughter Nastia to the Olympic all-around title.
TOPs is a talent search and educational program for female gymnasts ages 7-10 and their coaches. During the months of June and July, 2,000 gymnasts ages 7-10 were evaluated on physical abilities at the state level. From there, the best 280 8-10 year old athletes were invited to participate in the National TOPs Testing in October, where they were evaluated on the same physical abilities tests and basic gymnastics skills. From National TOPs Testing, 50 athletes were named to the TOPs National Team andinvited to participate in the National TOPs Training Camp.