By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer 
6/13/00

 Can't make it to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia?

 Don't fret, at least one event will come to Tulsa before the Games begin.

 America's top female gymnasts will be in Tulsa for the U.S. Classic July 6-8 at the Oral Roberts University Mabee Center.

 This event marks the second time an international gymnastics meet will be held in Tulsa in an Olympic year. Four years ago the American Classic was held prior to the Olympic Games in Atlanta, when the U.S. team captured the gold team title.

 Tulsa World of Gymnastics will host the event. Tickets range from $5 to $18. To order tickets, call the Mabee Center ticket office at 495-6000.

 The U.S. Classic will serve as a qualifying event and preview for the John Han cock U.S. Gymnastics Championships scheduled for July 26-29 in St. Louis. The Hancock Championships is the first of two qualifying events for the 2000 Olympic team.

 Olympic gold medalists Amy Chow and Dominique Dawes head the list of early entrants for the event. Kristen Maloney, the two-time defending national champion, and Elise Ray, the Senior Pacific Alliance All-Around gold medalist who is currently ranked No. 6, have also registered. Other senior entrants include No. 2 Vanessa Atler, No. 5 Jamie Dantzscher, No. 6 Elise Ray, No. 8 Robin Phelps, No. 10 Stephanie Carter, No. 13 Erinn Dooley, No. 14 Lindsay Wing, No. 17 Carri Nagle and No. 19 Marie Fjordholm.

 Oklahoma's own Shannon Miller and former Olympic teammates Dawes and Chow are expected to make a bid for the 2000 Olympic team. It is not certain now if Miller will compete in Tulsa.

 "We're thrilled to host an event again," said Linda Bradshaw, who along with husband Wayne, own Tulsa World of Gymnastics. "This is a wonderful opportunity to see the nation's top female gymnasts.

 "We have 11 of the nation's top 20 gymnasts already registered," Bradshaw said. "Dominique and Amy are very popular. Amy is probably in the best condition of her career."

 One change from four years ago will be the number of teammates on any team. For the 2000 Games, each team will have maximum of six members.

 The junior international competition, which takes place on the afternoon of July 8, will feature some of the nation's top young gymnasts, many of whom will comprise the 2004 Olympic team.