PHILADELPHIA, Pa., June 17, 2008 – The U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics will have a lasting presence in the Philadelphia region long after the competition ends.
Today at Vare Recreation Center, USA Gymnastics, along with American Athletic Incorporated and Mancino Mats, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Sports Congress, announced the donation of gymnastics equipment as part of its Legacy Project to the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, United Way of Camden County, and Police Athletic League.
USA Gymnastics is giving back to the Philadelphia region in appreciation for the City’s efforts to stage the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics, which begin Thursday and run through Sunday at the Wachovia Center.
“Grassroots programs across the country produced the gymnasts that are competing in the Trials this week,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “The success of this week’s event is the result of the support and efforts of the local gymnastics community in Philadelphia, and to show our appreciation we are proud to donate equipment to several deserving programs.”
The Philadelphia Department of Recreation will receive: vaulting table, vaulting board and four folding mats. For the Police Athletic League, the donation will be balance beam, spotting blocks, and four folding mats. The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania (Sayre Recreation) will receive: 10 folding mats, octagon, and folding incline. The United Way of Camden County will be the beneficiary of: a training beam, Cat-nastics Mats, and two folding mats.
This is the second donation made to those organizations in relation to the Trials. The Philadelphia Sports Congress, along with its various partners, afforded 400 children the ability to attend the Gymnastics Trials through the Red, White & You Program.
Tickets for the Gymnastics Trials are available at ComcastTIX.com or 1-800-298-4200. For more information on the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics and the yearlong celebration around the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, visit www.PhiladelphiaTrials2008.com.