Gabby Douglas to be honored in Iowa homecoming

Des Moines, Iowa - Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas of Virginia Beach, Va./Chow's Gymnastics and Dance, is among the Olympians who will take part in a homecoming celebration in Iowa on Saturday. The public celebration honors Iowa Olympians and their fellow Team USA members with ties to the state.

Douglas joins track and field star Lolo Jones, wrestling gold medalist Jake Varner, 2008 gymnastics gold medalist Shawn Johnson and a host of other athletes and dignitaries for an Olympic Homecoming Celebration. Hy-Vee is hosting the event, which will be held Saturday, August 18 at 11 a.m. at the Knapp Center at Drake University. The celebration is free and open to the public.

Douglas, who has lived and trained in West Des Moines, Iowa, for the past two years, captivated the world and made history on her way to two gold medals in London.

Making special appearances during the program will be Iowa native Shawn Johnson, gold medalist in gymnastics at the 2008 Beijing Games. Liang Chow of Chow's Gymnastics in West Des Moines, who coached both Johnson and Douglas to Olympic gold, also will take part in the program.

The program will consist of video highlights, interviews with the athletes, music, dancing and a few surprises. State and local dignitaries are expected to attend to help honor the Olympians.

Doors at the Knapp Center open Saturday at 10 a.m. for general admission seating – no tickets are required. Free public parking is available in several lots near the Knapp Center and around the Drake campus as well as on surrounding streets. For more information about the event, visit www.hy-vee.com.

Iowa's Olympic Homecoming Celebration is being sponsored by Hy-Vee, Drake University, WHO-TV, The Des Moines Register, WHO Radio, Coca-Cola, Kellogg's, Procter & Gamble and Sara Lee.