INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 29, 2014 – From hosting international exchanges to developing the Global Ambassador Program, USA Gymnastics is committed to sharing its expertise to stimulate growth of the sport and athlete development at many levels, with the ultimate goal of increasing the level of competition globally.

“Gymnastics is one of the greatest sports in the world, and USA Gymnastics is committed to helping grow and develop the sport on the international stage,” said Peter Vidmar, chairman of the board for USA Gymnastics and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. “Our country is fortunate to have a number of talented coaches, judges and athletes involved in our program, and we welcome the opportunity to share our knowledge with countries that are working to develop their programs and athletes. Increasing the competitiveness in all of the disciplines will benefit our sport through growth and increased popularity.”

“The United States has proven it is a responsible and resourceful member of the International Gymnastics Federation,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “The sharing of information and resources with countries that are growing and developing their programs is a privilege and the satisfaction from helping these countries is immeasurable. We would not be able to implement our international initiatives without the support of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the cooperation of the International Gymnastics Federation.”

In the first half of this Olympic quadrennium, USA Gymnastics hosted international events for men’s and women’s gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, rhythmic gymnastics and acrobatic gymnastics; conducted coaching and judging clinics; provided staff for FIG Academies; taught coaches and judges about the USA Gymnastics women’s Junior Olympic Compulsory program; and implemented the Global Ambassador program, a three-year program designed to provide coaching expertise to developing gymnastics countries.

“The U.S. Olympic Committee is proud to help support many of the efforts that USA Gymnastics has extended to countries around the globe,” said Scott Blackmun, CEO of the United States Olympic Committee. “The outreach to nations developing in the sport of gymnastics is significant and will contribute to the continued growth and success of gymnastics. The USOC recognizes the importance of strong international relations, and USA Gymnastics has worked globally to become a partner to member federations around the world.”

Here is a brief overview of some of the initiatives and programs in place in the last few years. Planning for 2015 is already underway.

2012

    International Events

    • FIG World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships and World Age Group Competitions: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
    • Kellogg’s Pacific Rim Championships: Everett, Washington (MAG, WAG, RG, TT)
    • FIG World Cup/AT&T American Cup: New York City, New York (MAG, WAG)
    • USA and Canada Joint Junior Team Competition: Colorado Springs, Colorado (TT)
    • Coaches Cup: Syracuse, New York (rhythmic gymnastics)

    Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU)

    • Rhythmic Gymnastics Camp: Huntsville, Texas
    • Acrobatic Gymnastics Camp: Huntsville, Texas

2013

    International Events

    • FIG World Cup/AT&T American Cup: Worcester, Massachusetts (MAG, WAG)
    • Olympic Development Program International Exchange Competition with Canada: Huntsville, Texas (TT)

    Courses

    • Men’s Artistic Gymnastics International Judges Course: Colorado Springs, Colorado
    • Rhythmic Gymnastics International Judges Course: Houston, Texas, and Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Women’s Artistic Gymnastics International Judges Course: Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini-trampoline International Judges Course: Dallas, Texas

    Global Ambassador Program

    • Dave Juszczyk, Denmark
    • Marvin Sharp, Panama and Bermuda
    • Mihai Brestyan, South Africa

    PAGU

    • Rhythmic Gymnastics Camp: Huntsville, Texas

2014

    International Events

    • FIG World Cup/AT&T American Cup: Greensboro, North Carolina (MAG, WAG)
    • FIG World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships and World Age Group Competitions: Daytona Beach, Florida
    • Junior Pan American Championships: Daytona Beach, Florida (RG, TT)
    • Stars and Stripes Cup: Daytona Beach, Florida (Canada, Mexico)

    Courses

    • Coaches sent to instruct at FIG Academies
    • Gymnastics For All Colloquium: Lake Buena Vista, Florida

    Global Ambassador Program

    • Dave Juszczyk, Denmark
    • Marvin Sharp, Panama
    • South Africa, clinician to be determined

    PAGU/Pan American Sports Organization (PASO)

    • Junior Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Camp: Huntsville, Texas
    • Rhythmic Gymnastics Camp and PASO Coaches Clinic: Huntsville, Texas

    Junior Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Compulsory Program Presentations (2012-2014)

    • Translation of the textbook into Spanish
    • Courses taught in El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile

“Serving as the national governing body for gymnastics is more than just developing and guiding the sport in the USA,” said Vidmar. “We will continue to proactively work with our international counterparts to identify and follow a course that builds upon the success and growth gymnastics currently enjoys.”