MARKET STREET RENAMED GOLD MEDAL WAY
ST. LOUIS – June 14, 2016 – The 2016 Men’s U.S. Olympic Trials and Women’s P&G Gymnastics Championships in St. Louis are just over a week away. In anticipation of St. Louis being on the Road to Rio, Market Street has been named “Gold Medal Way.” You can find the “Gold Medal Way” street sign at the corner of 10th and Market streets in Downtown St. Louis.
And there are more signs that the area will soon be hosting America’s top gymnasts: Street pole banners promoting the event are up throughout Downtown, and a giant 100’ x 25’ banner is now displayed at the top of the Wells Fargo Advisors building at Market Street and Jefferson Avenue. The banner, which faces east and can be seen from throughout Downtown, features three-time world all-around champion Simone Biles. The gymnast, who has also won the last three all-around U.S. national championships, will defend her titles as part of the four-day competition taking place at Chaifetz Arena June 23-26.
In addition to the promotional signage, organizers are also unveiling the lineup of exciting fan events that will take place around the competition. The following is an overview of the fan activities available during the Men’s Trials and Women’s P&G Championships in St. Louis:
- Olympic Day, June 23. Hundreds of St. Louis-area kids will participate in fun athletic activities on Thursday, June 23, at 10:30 a.m. before the first session of the day. Activities include tumbling, gymnastics activities, rowing, track and field, soccer and tug-o-war.
- Opening Ceremony, June 23. Gymnastics enthusiasts and the general public are invited to the opening ceremony on Thursday, June 23, at 11:30 a.m. outside Chaifetz Arena. The opening ceremony will include renaming Compton Avenue outside of Chaifetz Arena.
- Countdown to Rio Fan Fest, June 23-26. Fans can gather for fun before the gymnastics evening sessions on June 23-26, as well as post-competition on June 25. The Countdown to Rio Fan Fest is a great place to mingle and enjoy music, beach games, autographs, food, gym club demos, face painting, etc.
- KSDK Beach, June 23-26. Chaifetz Arena will have a touch of Brazil thanks to the KSDK Beach that will feature palm trees and a stage. The beach is expected to be the center of activity for the Countdown to Rio Fan Fest.
- KSDK Sidewalk Art Project, June 23-26. To further bring a touch of Rio, each local organizing committee gym club will re-create Brazilian sidewalk patterns from the Copacabana Beach in its own section of St. Louis’ “Rio Way,” which will be displayed next to the KSDK Beach.
- Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions. Fans will have a chance to learn more about the 2016 Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions, which begins Sept. 15 in Spokane, Wash. The 36-city tour will stop in St. Louis at Chaifetz Arena on Oct. 6 and wraps up Nov. 13 in Boston, Mass. The tour will feature the sport’s biggest names, including three-time World all-around champion Simone Biles of Spring, Texas/World Champion Centre, 2012 Olympic team and all-around champion Gabby Douglas of Virginia Beach, Va./Buckeye Gymnastics, 2012 Olympic team and floor exercise champion Aly Raisman of Needham, Mass./Brestyan’s American Gymnastics, 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin, and 2012 Olympic team gold-medalist Jordyn Wieber.
- KT Tape free taping. Athletes and fans can stop by the booth for a free KT Tape application to provide pain relief and support. Staff will be on site to tape and to give instructions on the use and benefits of KT Tapes. Additionally, KT Tape will unveil the limited-edition USA Olympic tape. Athletes of all levels can stop by to learn about KT Tape.
- Gateway City Taste of the Championships, June 23-26. Restaurants in downtown St. Louis will join in the excitement by participating in the Gateway City’s Taste of the Championships, a discounted dining program for spectators and participants for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Trials, P&G Gymnastics Championships and the USA Gymnastics Regional Congress. Several restaurants are planning to have gymnastics-themed dishes. For more information on participating restaurants, visit stlouis2016.com.
- U.S. Olympic Men’s Gymnastics Team Celebration, June 25. The U.S. Men’s Olympic Team will be announced following the Saturday night (June 25) competition, and the celebration will continue outside Chaifetz Arena with a fireworks show.
- USA Gymnastics Ninja Challenge Finals, June 26. Two-time Olympic medalist Jonathan Horton will be on hand when the finalists from two days of qualifications compete for top honors in St. Louis at the Countdown to Rio Fan Fest on Sunday. Gymnasts, ages 6-11, from local gymnastics clubs will race against the clock on an obstacle course that uses AAI gymnastics equipment. Attendees can watch and cheer on these budding Ninjas, and the winners will receive tickets to the final day of competition at 5:30 p.m. The qualification rounds on June 24-25 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel are also open to spectators. Held in the Midway, the two-hour sessions are June 24 at 10:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. and June 25 at 10 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
- Local Partner Days, June 24-26. Friday, June 24, will be UMB Day at the Championships, and Sunday, June 26, is SLUCare Day at the Championships. SLUCare will also be at Fan Fest with a photo booth.
The opportunities inside the venue include the following:
- P&G autograph signing. Well-known gymnastics celebrities will sign autographs at the P&G booth prior to the start of selected sessions. The times and athletes will be announced competition week, but approximately 300 individuals will have the opportunity for an autograph during the allotted time.
- Hershey’s Hello From Home. With Hershey’s, fans can send a message to Team USA when they’re far from home at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio! Team USA’s athletes will be a hemisphere away, and Hershey’s wants to help fans send them some love with personalized messages. After fans write their message, they will have an opportunity to get a photo with Hershey and Miss Kiss, two of Hershey’s beloved mascots.
- Kellogg’s Fitness and Nutrition Zone. Kids can have fun and gain knowledge about the importance of fitness through the interactive Kellogg’s Fitness and Nutrition Zone that features physical challenges in building balance, strength, flexibility and cardiovascular exercise, all of which are fundamental to gymnastics. Participants get coaching tips from local gymnasts, can snap a photo on the Kellogg’s podium and share what gets them started each day on their way to greatness!
- International Gymnastics Camp. Fans can stop by the International Gymnastics Camp booth to learn about the IGC difference, to take home exciting camp information and cool giveaways, and to meet Olympic and World champion Svetlana Boguinskaia! Staff members are available to speak about the premier gymnastics training opportunities at IGC, the benefits of summer camp for children, and IGC’s incredible recreation activities.
- Merchandise. Fans can purchase everything gymnastics, including event-specific tees, official event merchandise, Under Armour and GK leotards, and more, at merchandise booths on the concourse. An Olympic replica from the women’s gymnastics team competitive apparel line for the 2016 Olympic Games will be included in the assortment of leotards available. Autographed copies of 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin’s book, “Finding My Shine,” are available for just $25. In her book, Liukin talks about her personal journey of challenges and success, sharing tips for reaching goals and overcoming obstacles.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the Trials and Championships may be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, and at Ticketmaster outlets and the Chaifetz Arena Box Office. For more information, visit stlouis2016.com.
Single-session tickets are on sale for every session, with prices depending on session and seat location. All prices are subject to applicable fees. All times are Central.
EVENT SCHEDULE
June 23
1 p.m. P&G Championships – Junior Men $10 – $30
5 – 6:30 p.m. Countdown to Rio Fan Fest
7 p.m. Men’s Olympic Trials $20 – $70
June 24
1 p.m. P&G Championships – Junior Women $25 – $40
5:30-7 p.m. Countdown to Rio Fan Fest
7:30 p.m. P&G Championships – Senior Women $40 – $95
June 25
1 p.m. P&G Championships – Junior Men $15 – $35
5 – 6:30 p.m. Countdown to Rio Fan Fest
7 p.m. Men’s Olympic Trials $25 – $75
June 26
1 p.m. P&G Championships – Junior Women $15 – $35
5:30-7 p.m. Countdown to Rio Fan Fest
7 p.m. P&G Championships – Senior Women $45 – $105
Other ticket packages also available are listed below. Pricing varies based on seat location.
- Men’s Olympic Trials – June 23 and 25: $55-$105
- Women’s Day 1 – June 24: $75-$125
- Women’s final day – June 26: $90-$140
- Senior men’s and women’s finals – June 25 and 26: $85-$135
- All-session tickets – all eight competition sessions: tickets range in price from $150-$495 (plus applicable fees). The platinum package ($495) comes with a reserved seat in the first three rows, an autographed poster, and an Olympian meet-and-greet.
The U.S. Olympic Men’s Gymnastics Team will be announced on June 25 in St. Louis per the approved selection procedures and pending approval of the United States Olympic Committee. The P&G Championships will determine the women who will compete in the women’s trials, as well as the national champions and national teams for junior and senior women and junior men. Both days of competition count equally for each of the events. The U.S. Olympic Trials – Women’s Gymnastics is set for July 8 & 10 at SAP Center at San Jose, Calif. The last time the men’s and women’s trials were held separately was in 1976.
The St. Louis Sports Commission is the local host for both events.
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for all sports are a collaborative undertaking between the U.S. Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies and the local organizing committees.
For more information on the event, visit stlouis2016.com.