NATION’S TOP GYMNASTS TO COMPETE IN GATEWAY CITY ON THE ROAD TO RIO

ST. LOUIS – Dec. 4, 2014 – USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee have awarded the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for men’s gymnastics and the 2016 P&G Gymnastics Championships for women to St. Louis.  The events will take place at Chaifetz Arena on the campus of Saint Louis University June 23-26, 2016.  The St. Louis Sports Commission will serve as the host organization for the four-day competition.  It partnered with Global Spectrum, managers of Chaifetz Arena, to bring the events to the region.

“As an organization dedicated to celebrating St. Louis’ Olympic legacy, the Sports Commission is honored to host the nation’s top gymnasts prior to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito.  “We have great memories of the 2000 and 2012 national championships held in St. Louis and we look forward to working with our colleagues at Chaifetz Arena to deliver two exceptional events.”

For the first time, USA Gymnastics is conducting its women’s national championships and the men’s Olympic Trials at the same site.  The men’s Olympic Trials and junior men’s national championships will occur June 23 and 25.  The P&G Championships, staged on June 24 and 26, determines the women who will compete in the women’s trials, as well as the national champions and national teams for junior and senior women.

The U.S. Olympic Trials for women’s gymnastics take place two weeks later in San Jose, Calif.  USA Gymnastics has structured its national championships and trials schedule to best identify and prepare its athletes for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

For St. Louis, this marks the first time the region is hosting the men’s Olympic Trials for gymnastics.  It’s the third time St. Louis is site of USA Gymnastics’ national championships.

“We have the highest level of confidence in St. Louis to host a great Olympic Trials for the men,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.  “Our record of success with events in St. Louis is solid, and the team of professionals leading the effort is among the best in the business.”

Global Spectrum’s Jim Wynkoop, general manager of Chaifetz Arena, said, “We are excited about the P&G Championships returning to St. Louis and welcoming the men’s Olympic Team Trials.  We feel confident about building on the 2012 national championships to help make these two events successful.”

At the 2012 Games in London, Team USA tallied six medals in gymnastics – three gold, one silver and two bronze.  Highlights included the women’s team capturing a gold medal, Gabrielle Douglas taking home the gold in the women’s all-around, Aly Raisman winning the gold in the floor exercise and the balance beam bronze, McKayla Maroney claiming the vault silver, and Danell Leyva earning the men’s all-around bronze medal.

Tickets for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and P&G Championships will be announced in 2015.  For more information, visit www.usagym.org.

For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-345-5121
bshulman@stlsports.org