Gymnastics National Championships to Return to Hartford Next Summer

USA Gymnastics has announced that the 2013 U.S. Gymnastics Championships will return to Hartford’s XL Center next summer a quick follow-up to a very successful debut in the Capitol City in 2010 that featured future Olympians many of whom are now household names. Tickets for the four-day competition, to be held Aug. 14-17 - which are USA Gymnastics' national championships - went on sale immediately, to take advantage of heightened interest in gymnastics in the weeks following the London Olympics.  There was a recent published commentary urging Connecticut to focus on attracting sports-related competitions and tournaments, and the announcement underscored the opportunities now available to the state.

The competition schedule for 2013 in Hartford is: Aug. 14 – men's gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m. and seniors at 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 15 – women's gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m. and seniors at 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 16 – men's gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m. and seniors at 6:30 p.m.; and Aug. 17 – women's gymnastics, juniors at 2 p.m. and seniors at 7:30 p.m. All-session tickets for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships range in price from $125-$395.

Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra said, "The U.S. Gymnastics Championships are a signature event for the City of Hartford -- one that I have worked hard to recruit back to Connecticut's Capital City. It's exciting for residents and beneficial for Downtown businesses."

The 49th Annual USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show is a three-day event open to the entire gymnastics community. Held in conjunction with the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, National Congress provides a unique opportunity for presentations, demonstrations and educational seminars on a variety of topics and a large exhibitor's hall with additional business opportunities.