USA GYMNASTICS Message
This year as the summer months heated up, so did USA Gymnastics! This summer showcased several events that were huge successes for the sport of gymnastics.
On July 14, everyone went "head over heels" as USA Gymnastics held a world record handstand event at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. The event, which promoted the Visa Championships, set a world record with 1,072 gymnasts simultaneously performing handstands. Gymnastics legend Bela Karolyi and Olympians Blaine Wilson and Courtney Kupets were on hand to celebrate the record and spend time with the area gymnasts.
Doing more than setting a record, the event also allowed a few area gymnastics clubs to team up with local inner city youth programs to learn a routine performed at the event. The day was a great showcase of gymnastics talent and how clubs can reach out to the community.
On August 6, gymnasts around the country joined National Gymnastics Day co-chairs Bela Karolyi and Mary Lou Retton in celebrating the seventh annual National Gymnastics Day.
The goal of National Gymnastics Day is to promote the ideals of physical fitness and community service in America's youth while increasing excitement for the sport of gymnastics. Approximately 230 clubs registered their National Gymnastics Day events with us this year, while many more celebrated on their own. By celebrating the day, each of these clubs played an integral role in supporting gymnastics and our nation's youth.
For the past five years, USA Gymnastics has partnered with the Children's Miracle Network (CMN) for National Gymnastics Day. This year, over 130 clubs raised money through activities including hosting open houses, staging demonstrations, and holding cartwheel-a-thons. No matter the activity, our nation's gymnasts were not only able to have fun while showcasing the sport, but to give back to their communities. Last year, $129,000 was raised for CMN, and we are hoping to have exceeded the goal this year.
Along with obtaining proclamations from 47 states and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) proclaimed National Gymnastics Day for the first time in 2005. In the proclamation, FIG President Bruno Grandi states that National Gymnastics Day is a beautiful example of a celebration of the sport of gymnastics and its benefits to all people. Through all these proclamations, the prestige of National Gymnastics Day has greatly increased.
The USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show and Visa Championships were held in Indianapolis on August 10-13 at Conseco Fieldhouse and the Indianapolis Convention Center.
With a sold-out Business Conference, and over 130 educational sessions given by top individuals in the gymnastics field, the National Congress and Trade Show was a huge success. Over 1500 people were in attendance.
The road to the 2008 Beijing Olympics began at the Visa Championships where our nation's top gymnasts were crowned and answered our question of "Who's Next?" Gymnasts like Nastia Liukin, Todd Thorton, and Olga Karmansky are leading the way for the upcoming World Championships and the 2008 Olympics. But before paving the road to Beijing could begin, the 2004 Men's and Women's Olympic Silver Medal teams were honored in a special presentation. While these Olympians created a bright past for USA Gymnastics, those participating in the Visa Championships showed us that America's gymnastics future is just as bright.
On behalf of USA Gymnastics, I would like to thank everyone who participated in, or supported, the handstand event, National Gymnastics Day, and the USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show, and the Visa Championships. Because of you, Visa, our other sponsors, and the Indiana Sports Corporation, all these events could not have been made possible. It is our gymnastics clubs, our members, and our gymnasts that provide us with the drive to make each event a success. With your support, we truly can Begin Here and Go Anywhere.
Loree Galimore
Club Services Manager &
National Gymnastics Day Coordinator
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