INDIANAPOLIS and FRISCO, Texas, Jan. 14, 2013 – More than 400 gymnasts are expected to head to Frisco, Texas, to compete in trampoline and tumbling’s 2013 U.S. Elite Challenge, May 3-5. Held at the Dr Pepper Arena, the three-day event showcases the USA’s best in men’s and women’s trampoline, tumbling, synchronized trampoline and double mini-trampoline.
In addition to the junior and senior elite levels, the U.S. Elite Challenge also includes athletes in Levels 8-10 and the Olympic Development Program. The four events for the elite and Olympic Development Program levels will have both preliminary and final rounds.
Traditionally, this event is a qualifier to the U.S. Trampoline and Tumbling Championships, as well as a part of the selection process to determine the athletes who will represent the United States at World Championships, World Games and World Age-Group Competitions. The qualification process for the 2013 U.S. Championships and the selection process for the 2013 World Games will be finalized later this month. The World Games, scheduled for July 25-Aug. 4 in Cali, Colombia, are the equivalent to the Olympic Games for events and disciplines that are not currently on the Olympic program.
The local organizations assisting with the hosting and staging of the U.S. Elite Challenge are the Texas Sports Commission, the Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Eagles Wings Athletics, assisted by the USA Gymnastics North Texas State Committee.
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.