Inside USA Gymnastics

Bob Colarossi
November/December 2003

The 2003 Rhythmic World Championships and 2003 Trampoline and Tumbling World Championships have just concluded and Mary Sanders and Jennifer Parilla qualified the U.S. to participate in the 2004 Olympic Games. This means the U.S. will now have at least one representative in each of the four gymnastics disciplines including men's artistic, women's artistic, rhythmic and trampoline.

The athletes in all four disciplines will go through a selection process during the summer of 2004 at the U.S. Championships in Nashville, Tenn., and the Olympic Trials in Anaheim, Calif., to determine who will represent the United States in Athens next summer.

In addition to qualifying a spot for the Olympic Games, Sanders qualified into two event finals at the Rhythmic World Championships, a first for a U.S. athlete. Sanders and her teammates Olga Karmansky and Lisa Wang also finished 10th as a team, the highest finish ever for the U.S.

Success was also achieved at the Trampoline and Tumbling World Championships where Shelley Klochan won the bronze medal in women's double mini--the only USA individual medal. Additionally, both the men's and women's double mini teams earned the silver medals. The men's team included Keith Douglas, Josh Vance and Casey Finley while the women's team included Drew Rentfro, Klochan and Whitney Kusak. Jamar Young and Megan Dacy were the fourth members of the teams.

In addition to the World Championships competition taking place this fall, the T.J. Maxx Tour of Gymnastics Champions was entertaining audiences in nine cities throughout October. Plans are already underway for the 2004 Tour of Gymnastics Champions which will involve more than 30 cities and feature members of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. I would especially like to thank T.J. Maxx for its support of both the 2003 and 2004 Tours. Everyone involved in this Tour believes it is one of the most entertaining they have ever seen.

It is with great pleasure that I announce the addition of an Introductory Membership for Women's Levels, 1, 2, and 3, and Prep Optional, Trampoline and Tumbling and Sports Acrobatics Levels 1, 2, and 3, and Group Gymnastics. The men's program will be adding this option by 2005. This cost of the new membership is $15 and includes insurance coverage in a sanctioned event. This membership is available online, 24 hours per day, and membership cards can be obtained within 24 hours. This is a great way to increase enrollment, get kids competing earlier and keep them in the sport. Members have asked for this new membership and we're pleased to make it available. Of course, this group of athletes can also obtain a full status athlete membership with all the benefits if they wish. This new membership is a choice especially designed for first-time athlete members.

I know the competition season is in full swing for the compulsory levels and gearing up for the optionals and elite. Good luck with your competitions and have a wonderful holiday season!

Bob Colarossi

This article is reprinted from the November/December 2003 USA Gymnastics magazine, Vol. 32, No. 5.

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