USA Gymnastics names World Championships Team for rhythmic gymnastics

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 11, 2007—USA Gymnastics named the U.S. Team for the 2007 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Sept. 19-23, in Patras, Greece. The team was chosen following the 2007 Visa Championships in San Jose, Calif.

The members of the team are: Rachel Marmer of Los Angeles; Lisa Wang of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; and Julie Zetlin of Bethesda, Md. Ava Gehringer of Evanston, Ill., is the team alternate.

“These women have been training hard in preparation for the World Championships,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “We expect them to represent the United States well in Greece.”

The 2007 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships is the qualifying event for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Twenty-four rhythmic gymnasts will compete at the Olympic Games, and the field breakdown is: 20 based on performances at the 2007 World Championships; three wild card selections by the FIG to ensure athletes from the host country and each continent are included; and one from the IOC Tripartite Commission.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States, encourages participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport.  For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

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