by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“The road to Beijing begins in Jacksonville,” said Ron Galimore, vice president of events for USA Gymnastics as the announcement was made Friday that the 2007 Tyson American Cup will be held March 3 at the Arena. NBC Sports plans a live, two-hour broadcast.
The all-around invitational competition will showcase the top gymnasts in the world who are preparing for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Former gold medalists from the event include Kurt Thomas, Bart Connor, Mary Lou Retton, Dominique Dawes, Nadia Comaneci and Shannon Miller, who won seven Olympic medals (two gold) and now lives in Gainesville.
“The Tyson American Cup is the most prestigious international gymnastics competition held on U.S. soil,” said Miller. “I remember as a young gymnast going to bed at night and praying for that coveted invitation because I knew I would be competing on a world stage.”
Ron Salem, chairman of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission’s sports and entertainment board, said he expects the one-day event will draw as many as 7,000 fans.
“People will come from all over the world and all over the country. We’re really going to market it from Savannah to Orlando. We think a number of people will come to Jacksonville the night before. If you’re into gymnastics, this will be the event of the year. If you’re within a couple of hundred miles of Jacksonville, you’re going to want to be here,” said Salem.