MARIETTA, Ga., May 15, 2014 – More than 130 gymnasts competed in the USA Gymnastics Special Olympics Championships, held May 3, 2014, at the Cobb County Gymnastics Center in Marietta, Ga. The one-day event featured competition in artistic gymnastics (men, women and unified), rhythmic gymnastics (individual, group and unified) and TeamGym. The competition wrapped up with a gala, which involved all of the athletes. The event’s results are listed below.

"The USA Gymnastics Special Olympics Championships is the one competition during the year that Special Olympics athletes, coaches, and judges come together not only to compete, but also to network, share ideas, and just enjoy the camaraderie of others who support gymnastics for people with disabilities," said Cindy Bickman, meet director and owner of Chattooga School of Gymnastics and Dance.

Competition featured athletes from 10 states, Mexico and Canada. The USA Gymnastics Special Olympics Championships was hosted locally by Chattooga Gymnastics, Special Olympics Georgia and Cobb County Special Olympics Gymnastics Team. Procter & Gamble provided a variety of products to the athletes, coaches, judges and family members. P&G is one of Special Olympics’ longstanding partners and has supported the movement for more than 32 years.

The artistic competition is for skill Levels A, B, 1, 2, 3 and 4, with rhythmic gymnastics for Levels A, B, 1, 2, 3 and 4. Competition includes both individual and Unified gymnasts. A Unified gymnast is a partner without disabilities who will complete the same routine as the Special Olympics athlete, and the pair’s scores will be combined for a team total. For rhythmic group, there are an equal number of Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners in each group.

TeamGym is a competitive version of group gymnastics that features squads of athletes performing together in two events – group floor exercise and group jump. TeamGym may have both Unified partners and Special Olympics athletes. Men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics will follow Special Olympics rules, while TeamGym will use USA Gymnastics rules. Rhythmic gymnastics will follow USA Gymnastics Festival Rhythmic rules for competition.

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 3.7 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.

2014 USA Gymnastics Special Olympics Championships
Cobb County Gymnastics Center – Marietta, Ga.
May 3, 2014

Rhythmic Group Ball
1. Canada
2. USA

Festival Rhythmic Individual Gold Awards
Hoop – Christina Judd-Campbell, Emily Boycott, Danielle Blakeney
Ball – Emily Boycott, Dana Misitano, Christina Judd-Campbell
Clubs – Christina Judd-Campbell
Ribbon – Emily Boycott, Christina Judd-Campbell

Women’s Artistic- Level 4

    Vault
    1. Julie Doss
    2. Chelsea Werner
    3. Mareena Marrison

    Uneven bars
    1. Chelsea Werner
    2. Mareena Marrison
    3. Shannon Laffey

    Balance beam
    1- Chelsea Werner
    2- Mareena Marrison
    3- Julie Doss

    Floor exercise
    1. Julie Doss
    2. Chelsea Werner
    3. Mareena Marrison

    All-around
    1. Chelsea Werner
    2. Julie Doss
    3. Mareena Marrison

Men’s Artistic Gymnastics – Level 4

    Floor exercise
    1. Marc Janovics
    2. Nathan Hollenbeck

    Pommel horse
    1. Marc Janovics
    2. Nathan Hollenbeck

    Still rings
    1. Marc Janovics
    2. Nathan Hollenbeck

    Vault
    1. Marc Janovics
    2. Nathan Hollenbeck

    Parallel bars
    1. Marc Janovics
    2. Nathan Hollenbeck

    Horizontal bar
    1. Marc Janovics
    2. Nathan Hollenbeck

    All-around
    1. Marc Janovics
    2. Nathan Hollenbeck

TeamGym – Level 2
1. Chattooga Galaxy
2. Chattooga Stars
3. Chattooga Champs

TeamGym – Unified
1. Chattooga Comets