Some stories ideas surrounding the P&G Championships • Road to Hartford: how athletes qualify to compete in Hartford. • Who’s competing: The men’s field is set, and all five of the men’s U.S. Olympic Team, plus two alternates, are expected to compete. The U.S. women’s field will be announced the week of July 27, and 2012 Olympic team gold-medalists McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross are expected to lead the women. • USA Gymnastics returns to Hartford: a business story on the 2010 event’s success and why USA Gymnastics has returned in 2013. • USA Gymnastics at 50: USA Gymnastics is celebrating its 50th anniversary and 50 years of champions. To mark the occasion, the organization will recognize the existing members of the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame, as well as 2013 inductees 2007 Women’s World Championships Team and the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Team, both of which won the respective team gold medals. A museum of photos, artifacts and equipment and leotards through the years. The museum is open to the public free of charge. • 2012 Olympic Team reunion. On Saturday, Aug. 17, all 13 members of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team, including the Fierce FiveSM, will be in Hartford and recognized during the women’s senior session. • Local expert. 1984 Olympic team gold-medalist Tim Daggett lives and has a gym just outside of Hartford. He is an NBC commentator and has worked a number of Olympic Games, as well as nationals. • Defending all-around champions. Jordyn Wieber is the defending U.S. all-around champion and was a member of the 2012 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team that won the team gold medal; she is not competing, but will be in town for the Hall of Fame induction of the Fierce Five and the Olympic reunion. John Orozco, last year’s men’s all-around champion and a member of the men’s 2012 Olympic Team, is expected to compete. • Rising stars: After the Olympics, the sport always has new names and faces who may become household names in a few short years. Some of the young men and women to watch in Hartford include: Kennedy Baker, Simone Biles, Brenna Dowell, Peyton Ernst, Lexie Priessman, and for the men, Adrian de Los Angeles, Sean Melton, Akash Modi, Eddie Penev and Paul Ruggeri. • USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show. Nearly 2,000 gym club owners, instructors, coaches, officials, judges, etc., will be in Hartford for the 2013 USA Gymnastics Congress and National Trade Show. It is a three-day educational event with presentations, demonstrations and educational seminars on a variety of topics and a large exhibitor’s hall with additional business opportunities. • Technology: USA Gymnastics uses technology to make it easy for fans to follow the event: robust website, with a mobile version; online live scoring; online digital program; media materials posted online rather than copies; to name a few. • USA women’s program: The USA has won 65 Olympic and World medals since the 2000 Olympic Games and is the only country to win team medals at every World and Olympic Games during that time period. The U.S. women won just their second team gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games and the first outside the USA, as well as its third straight (and fourth overall) all-around gold. The women’s program instituted a training program following the 2000 Olympic Games that has resulted in the outstanding performances at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games and the 2003, 2005-07, 2009-11 World Championships. The program focuses on regularly scheduled camps at the women’s national training center, for both the athlete and her coach. Page 1 of 2 • USA’s international success for both men and women. We have teams competing overseas throughout the year, and we can provide results, etc., for those to interested local media. • Gymnastics as a basis for solid fitness. Gymnastics is a great way for kids to become more physically active and improve their fitness in a safe and fun environment. • Ancillary activities. The ancillary and fan activities that are planned include: 50th anniversary museum; morning fitness at the Old State House; Capital City’s Taste of the Championships; “Let’s Eat!”; 2012 U.S. Olympic Team celebration, as well as recognition of the members of the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame; WGYM in-arena radio; and concourse activities, including the USA Gymnastics Fitness Zone. • Steve Penny. Steve Penny was named president of USA Gymnastics on April 1, 2005. A 14-year employee of the organization, Penny can give a solid overview of where gymnastics is, its success in 2012-13, its plans heading into 2016 and a look at the future of gymnastics. • Athlete profiles. • Gymnastics 101. Explanation of men’s and women’s gymnastics, as well as the apparatus and scoring. • National Gymnastics Day. Instituted in 1999, each year USA Gymnastics and its member clubs celebrate National Gymnastics Day. Scheduled for Sept. 21, 2013, National Gymnastics Day is a great vehicle to build awareness of gymnastics and to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Right To Play. USA Gymnastics and its members have raised more than $1.8 million for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since the two became partners in 2001. Page 2 of 2 .