Portland to Host 2013 USA Gymnastics Men’s Junior Olympics National Championships

Participating Oregon Gymnasts to Perform During Training
Session Tomorrow at Oregon Gymnastics Academy  

Portland, Oregon (PRESS RELEASE)— Portland will host its first ever USA Gymnastics national championship event next week as more than 1,000 gymnasts, coaches and family members descend on Portland for the 2013 USA Gymnastics Men’s Junior Olympics National Championships, May 1 -May 5 at the Oregon Convention Center.  Hosted locally by Metro Gymnastics Center, the Oregon Sports Authority and Travel Portland, the Junior Olympics is a USA Gymnastics sanctioned event featuring the top male gymnasts in the country ages 11-18. 

Eighteen Oregon athletes are preparing to compete among more than 700 of the nation’s best, with gymnasts already starting to eye coveted spots on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.  An elaborate Opening Ceremony presented by Regence will formally kick off the event on the evening of Wednesday, May 1, with competition continuing May 2- 5 in Exhibit Hall A at the Oregon Convention Center.  Event tickets are currently available online at www.2013jomens.com and will also be available at the Oregon Convention Center during most events.

“What a delight it is to bring such a prestigious event to our hometown,” said Metro Gymnastics Center President David Klein.  “We hope Oregonians come out to see the nation’s best young gymnasts put on an incredible show.”

With more than 1,000 gymnasts, family members and coaches visiting Portland for the five day event, the region is expected to receive a significant influx of tourism dollars.  “We expect our hotels, restaurants and shopping destinations to see a noticeable bump in business as a direct result of the Junior Olympics,” said Oregon Sports Authority CEO Drew Mahalic.

A detailed event schedule and ticket information can be found at www.2013jomens.com.

Media Access at Oregon Convention Center on May 1-5
Please contact Meyer Freeman of the Oregon Sports Authority (information above) to arrange for media access at the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics.

Training Session Tomorrow for Oregon Gymnasts (Pre-event Photo/Video Op)
Tomorrow from 4:30 p.m. � 6:30 p.m. the Oregon gymnasts competing in the Junior Olympics will perform their routines in front of judges during a training session at the Oregon Gymnastics Academy at 16305 NW Bethany Ct. in Beaverton.  Media is welcome to attend.  Please contact Lisa Havelind at 503.531.3409 or lisa.havelind@ogagym.org for additional information about the training session. 

Oregon Sports Authority
The mission of the Oregon Sports Authority is to position the state of Oregon as the preferred location for select amateur and professional sports events, franchises and related activities in order to enhance the quality of life of Oregonians and to stimulate the state’s economy.  The Oregon Sports Authority was named 2010 Sports Commission of the Year by the National Association of Sports Commissions. Learn more at oregonsports.org.