U.S. Best Gymnasts: The Road to London Goes Through St. Louis This Week

The nation’s top gymnasts will be center stage during the 2012 Visa Championships this week in St. Louis. Hosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission, the event takes place Thursday through Sunday (June 7-10) at Saint Louis University’s Chaifetz Arena. The Championships are part of a two-step process that determines the U.S. gymnasts for the Summer Games.  

“During the four days of the Visa Championships, fans will have the opportunity not only to see the members of Team USA on their journey to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, but also to participate in a wide variety of fun activities,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “The opportunities range from morning fitness to a world record attempt to the Visa Fan Fest.”  Details on those events appear below. 

TICKET INFO:  Single-session, multi-session and all-session tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by phone at 314-534-1111 or 800-293-5949; online at www.metrotix.com; or at the Chaifetz Arena Box Office.  Group discounts are available by calling 314-977-5008.  In recognition of Visa's sponsorship of USA Gymnastics, USA Gymnastics is proud to accept only Visa at the 2012 Visa Championships, along with cash.

COMPETITORS:  Defending U.S. champions and 2011 World Championships gold-medalists Jordyn Wieber and Danell Leyva try to defend their titles at the 2012 Visa Championships. Three members of the 2008 Women’s Olympic Team will compete: Nastia Liukin, Alicia Sacramone and Bridget Sloan. For a complete list of the women’s field, click here. Jonathan Horton, a member of the 2008 men’s Olympic team that won bronze in Beijing will compete on the men’s side. For the men’s field, click here. 

MORNING FITNESS:  Downtown workers and fans can start the day off with a 60-minute workout under the Gateway Arch. Each day will have a different workout:  June 7 – yoga at 6:30 a.m. led by 7-time Olympic medalist Shannon Miller; June 8 – Zumba at 7:30 a.m.; and June 9 – boot camp at 8:30 a.m.  There is no cost to participate.

PAINTING AT CHAIFETZ:  Fans can help create an original painting that will become a part of the history of the 2012 Visa Championships. Interested individuals will have the opportunity to dip their hands and feet into paint and do handstands, cartwheels or walk across the canvas to develop a communal piece of art. Painting at Chaifetz will take place during the Visa Fan Fest.  Those expected to participate include gymnasts competing in the event, local and gymnastics celebrities and dignitaries, fans, and aspiring gymnasts. 
The competition schedule and a complete list of activities follow:

2012 Visa Championships Schedule at Chaifetz Arena
Doors will open one hour before competition

Thursday, June 7 – 1 p.m.                      Junior Men’s Competition – Day 1 
Thursday, June 7 – 6:30 p.m.                 Senior Men’s Competition – Day 1
Friday, June 8 – 1 p.m.                          Junior Women’s Competition – Day 1
Friday, June 8 – 6:30 p.m.                     Senior Women’s Competition – Day 1
Saturday, June 9 – 11:30 a.m.               Senior Men’s Competition – Final Day
Saturday, June 9 – 6 p.m.                      Junior Men’s Competition – Final Day
Sunday, June 10 – 10 a.m.                     Junior Women’s Competition – Final Day
Sunday, June 10 – 2:30 p.m.                 Senior Women’s Competition – Final Day

Fan Activities 
Admission is FREE to all Morning Fitness and Visa Fan Fest activities

Thursday, June 7

Morning Fitness – Yoga led by 7-time Olympic medalist           6:30 to 7:30 a.m. 
Shannon Miller 
Location:  Under the Gateway Arch

Opening Ceremony / World’s Longest Balance Beam / 
Street Renaming                                                                 11:30 a.m.

Location:  North side of Chaifetz Arena

Friday, June 8

Morning Fitness – Zumba                                                  7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Location:  Under the Gateway Arch

Visa Fan Fest – music, autographs, food, painting and fun
for the whole family                                                           5 to 6:30 p.m. 
Location:  North side of Chaifetz Arena

Saturday, June 9

Morning Fitness – Boot camp led by national champion            8:30 to 9:30 a.m. 
David Durante
Location:  Under the Gateway Arch

Visa Fan Fest – music, athlete interviews                                2:30 to 4:30 p.m. 
Location:  North side of Chaifetz Arena

Sunday, June 10

Visa Fan Fest – music, autographs, food, painting and fun
for the whole family                                                              12:30 to 2 p.m. 
Location:  North side of Chaifetz Arena

Visa Fan Fest – music, athlete interviews                                    5 to 7 p.m. 
Location:  North side of Chaifetz Arena

For more information on the 2012 Visa Championships and the complete listing of events, visit www.usagym.org/visa.