Indianapolis selected as host city for 2015 U.S. Gymnastics Championships

Indianapolis, Indiana - USA Gymnastics and Indiana Sports Corp today announced that the 2015 U.S. Gymnastics Championships will return to the Circle City. Scheduled for Aug. 13-16, the four-day competition, which serves as USA Gymnastics' national championships, will be held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, site of the 2005 championships. The USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show will be held at the Indiana Convention Center. This is the fourth time the prestigious event has been held in Indianapolis (1986, 1998, 2005).

In addition to Indiana Sports Corp, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana will also play key roles in the event. Indianapolis has served as the headquarters for USA Gymnastics since 1983.

"Bringing the Super Bowl of gymnastics to Indianapolis was an easy decision for us," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "Indianapolis and Indiana Sports Corp are known for staging quality and successful events, Pacers Sports & Entertainment also has a reputation of success and cooperation, and we want to showcase our sport in our hometown. The 2005 nationals were a big success, and we have every expectation that 2015 will also be a home run."

"Our community has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with USA Gymnastics," said Allison Melangton, Indiana Sports Corp president. "Coming off an Olympic performance that captivated our country, we are thrilled that USA Gymnastics has chosen Indianapolis to host their national championships for the fourth time. It will be a tremendous event for our local community, as well as fans from across the country who will converge on Indianapolis."

"The sports strategy that our city set forward in the 1970s continues to pay dividends today, " said Jim Morris, president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. "Today, our team here at Pacers Sports & Entertainment is proud to be part of an exciting announcement as we add another marquee event to our upcoming calendar at Bankers Life Fieldhouse."

Photos from the announcement press conference

The competition schedule for 2015 is: Thursday, Aug. 13 – women's gymnastics, juniors and seniors; Friday, Aug. 14 – men's gymnastics, juniors and seniors; Saturday, Aug. 15 – women's gymnastics, juniors and seniors; and Sunday, Aug. 16 – men's gymnastics, juniors and seniors.

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. The nationals also traditionally serve as part of the selection process for the U.S. Team for the World Championships.

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 women's and men'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 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.

About Indiana Sports Corp.
Indiana Sports Corp is the sports champion, stimulating economic growth, inspiring healthy kids and creating vibrant communities throughout Indiana. Indiana Sports Corp was founded in 1979 as the nation's first sports commission. Our recent and upcoming schedule of events includes NCAA Men's and Women's Final Fours, Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, Big Ten Football Championship Games through 2015, Big Ten Basketball Tournaments, and much more. For more information, visit www.IndianaSportsCorp.com.