2000 U.S. Classic Meet Awarded to Tulsa February 1, 1999—For immediate release Contact: Craig Bohnert, USA Gymnastics, (317) 237-5050, ext. 247, or Linda Bradshaw, Tulsa World of Gymnastics, (918) 664-8683 INDIANAPOLIS – The final chance for Olympic hopefuls in women’s gymnastics to get on the Road to Sydney will be the U.S. Classic, which will be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, July 7-9, 2000. Tulsa World of Gymnastics will serve as the meet’s official host. "We’re excited to have the opportunity to hold this important event in Tulsa," said Kathy Kelly, Senior Women’s Program Director for USA Gymnastics. "Linda Bradshaw and Tulsa World of Gymnastics have done an outstanding job hosting important events like this. They did a great job with out TOPs training camp in December, and we know they will host a superb meet." Tulsa World of Gymnastics hosted 88 young gymnasts in the USA Gymnastics Talent Opportunity Program for a four-day camp in early December, a camp that received excellent reviews. As the final opportunity to qualify for the John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships, the U.S. Classic is a key event every year. Its importance will be magnified in the Olympic year of 2000, as it will be the final chance to get into the series of qualifying events that lead to a berth on the Olympic Team. Athletes that qualify at the U.S. Classic advance to the John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships scheduled for July 26-29 in the Keil Center in St. Louis, Mo. From there, the top 16 advance to the Olympic Team Trials in Boston, Mass., Aug. 15-20. That meet will be used to select the six women who will represent the USA at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Last year, the Classic marked the return of 1991 World Champion Kim Zmeskal, who qualified for the John Hancock U. S. Gymnastics Championships through the Classic in San Antonio, Texas. She went on to earn a spot on the U.S. National Team, returning to the squad after a six-year absence. Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. For more information about USA Gymnastics and its programs, events and athletes, long on to USA Gymnastics Online at http:www.usa-gymnastics.org. - USA GYMNASTICS - Tulsa World of Gymnastics Home Page