"The U.S. Gymnastics Championships and Hartford are a winning combination," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "After our success in 2010, we knew we would be back sooner rather than later. We have every confidence that Hartford and AEG will once again deliver one of the most successful championships ever."
"Connecticut is proud to again be the home of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships," said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. "The 2013 competition will bring extraordinary athletes to our capital city, and it will give Connecticut a great opportunity to show thousands of fans from around the country all that our state has to offer. Thanks to the hard work of USA Gymnastics, Mayor Pedro Segarra, and AEG, a national spotlight will shine on Connecticut next August."
The competition schedule for 2013 is: Aug. 14 – men's gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m. and seniors at 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 15 – women's gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m. and seniors at 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 16 – men's gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m. and seniors at 6:30 p.m.; and Aug. 17 – women's gymnastics, juniors at 2 p.m. and seniors at 7:30 p.m. The schedule is subject to change, and times listed are Eastern.
All-session tickets for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships range in price from $125-$395. Prices vary according to ticket location, and the top-priced ticket is for the best seat location and includes an autographed commemorative poster. Tickets are available through several different avenues: Ticketmaster.com; calling 1-800-745-3000; or the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center. In recognition of Visa's sponsorship of USA Gymnastics, USA Gymnastics is proud to accept only Visa at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, along with cash. For group tickets, please call 860-548-2000. Tickets are also available at a discounted price through participating local gymnastics clubs.
Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra said, "The U.S. Gymnastics Championships are a signature event for the City of Hartford -- one that I have worked hard to recruit back to Connecticut's Capital City. It's exciting for residents and beneficial for Downtown businesses especially coming on the heels of the 2012 Olympics. I'm happy that USA Gymnastics recognizes all that we do to make Hartford a wonderful place to live, work and play. I can't thank our partners enough -- including AEG, the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau and the MetroHartford Alliance -- for their friendship and tireless efforts on behalf our great city."
"AEG is ecstatic that this event is returning to downtown Hartford in 2013," said Chuck Steedman, XL Center senior vice president & general manager. "As we saw when the championships were here in August 2010, this event is one that is fully embraced by the community, gym clubs, business partners, and sponsors. For four straight days, all eyes will be on Hartford. As managers of the XL Center, there is no better way to showcase our beautiful city than with a nationally televised event that combines the best attributes of a large convention with a marquee athletic competition. It is a true testament to our region that Hartford is the only city to have been selected to host this event twice within a three year period."
Steedman added, "Through events such as this and the 40-city post-Olympic Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions, AEG is proud of its tremendous relationship with USA Gymnastics and we thank them for placing their faith in Hartford once again."
The U.S. Gymnastics Championships, previously known as the Visa Championships, determine U.S. champions and the U.S. national team for the junior and senior elite levels. The field will be determined closer to the competition.
Jordyn Wieber of DeWitt, Mich./Gedderts' Twistars USA, and John Orozco of the Bronx, N.Y./Team Hilton HHonors (U.S. Olympic Training Center) won the men's and women's U.S. all-around titles, respectively, at the 2012 Visa Championships. The roster of former U.S. all-around champions is a veritable who's who of gymnastics, including: women – Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson, Carly Patterson, Courtney Kupets, Shannon Miller, Dominique Dawes, Kim Zmeskal and Mary Lou Retton; and men – Paul Hamm, Blaine Wilson, John Roethlisberger, Mitch Gaylord, Peter Vidmar and Bart Conner. The U.S. Gymnastics Championships traces its history back to 1897 for the men and 1931 for the women.
The 49th Annual USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show is a three-day event open to the entire gymnastics community. Held in conjunction with the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, National Congress provides a unique opportunity for presentations, demonstrations and educational seminars on a variety of topics and a large exhibitor's hall with additional business opportunities.
Background Information
The Connecticut Convention Center. The Connecticut Convention Center, which has more than 205,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, is the site for the USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show. The facility offers an outdoor esplanade overlooking the Connecticut River and is connected to both the Hartford Marriott Downtown and the Connecticut Science Center.
XL Center. The XL Center, managed by AEG CT LLC, will host two days of competition for both men's and women's gymnastics. The XL Center is home to the University of Connecticut Men's & Women's Basketball teams along with the Connecticut Whale, the American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Rangers. In addition to resident teams, the XL Center entertains millions of visitors annually with a variety of concerts, family shows, sporting events, consumer & trade shows. The XL Center is also the proud host of the BIG EAST Women's Basketball Championship, which will play in downtown Hartford for the 10th consecutive year in 2013. The XL Center is Connecticut's home for premier sports & entertainment.
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