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South Philadelphia will take center stage next month when the country’s top gymnasts come to the Wachovia Center for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The top men and women athletes from the U.S. will vie for the chance to compete for the gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics, which start in Beijing Aug. 8. The trials consist of four sessions from June 19 to 22.
Legendary coach Bela Karolyi stopped by the Wachovia Center last week to talk about the big event.
"I particularly see it shaping up as an amazing, amazing competition with unbelievable athletes," Karolyi said. "It’s a younger generation meets a very, very prestigious older generation."
His recent visit included attending the May 14 Phillies/Braves game at Citizens Bank Park, as well as a gymnastics demonstration in Love Park the following afternoon. Combined with his other visits to Philadelphia to help promote the event, the coach said the City of Brotherly Love and Wachovia Center are the perfect place for the trials.
"They have always been a tremendous host for major events," Karolyi said of Philadelphia. "It’s a knowledgeable crowd, a supportive crowd."
Kerri Strug, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist, also stopped in Philadelphia to help spread the word. She threw out the first pitch during the May 14 Phillies game in front of those passionate fans. The retired gymnast said she thinks the U.S. Trials are a great fit for the area.
"I know that the fans are very loyal and very rowdy, I guess you could say in a good sense," Strug said. "This is another great weekend for everybody to get behind Team USA. I know it’s not Pennsylvanians that are here specifically, but it’s one of the pinnacles for the sport of gymnastics. It’s not the Olympic games, but these are the girls that will be there.
"I really encourage everyone to come on out because the Olympics only come once every four years so the trials aren’t too often. You may see the Olympic gold medalist here."
Schedule for U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Gymnastics
June 19 men’s first day competition 7 p.m.
June 20 women’s first day competition 7 p.m.
June 21 men’s final 3 p.m.
June 22 women’s final 6 p.m.
Single-session tickets are on sale through ComcastTIX.com, 800-298-4200, the Wachovia Center Box Office, select ACME locations and participating area gymnastics clubs.
