PHILADELPHIA -- Former United States Olympians and world renowned gymnasts Shannon Miller and John Macready will pay a visit to Temple Gymnastics this Tuesday evening (Feb. 7) to promote the 2006 American Cup, to be held March 3-4 at the Liacouras Center. Miller and Macready will be signing autographs and interacting with students and fans from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Temple Gymnastics training facility in room 144 of Pearson Hall, located at the rear of McGonigle Hall.
Miller is the most decorated American gymnast, male or female, in history, having won more Olympic and World Championship medals than any other American gymnast. She has earned seven Olympic medals and nine World Championship medals since her Elite International debut in 1990. Her tally of five medals (two silver, three bronze) at the 1992 Olympics was the most medals won by a US athlete. During her career, Miller has won an astounding 58 international and 49 national competition medals and over half have been gold, culminating with two gold medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta as a member of the "Magnificent Seven." At the '96 Games, she won team gold and, for the first time for any American gymnast, gold on the balance beam.
Macready was a 1996 Olympian and two-time World Championship team member. He was the youngest member of the 1996 USA men's Olympic gymnastics' team, one of the strongest USA men's Olympic teams since 1984. He is very active in community service. He has worked with the Make a Wish Foundation and currently hosts the annual "John Macready March of Dimes Invitational." He currently utilizes his talents by producing the routines for the professional Reese's Gymnastics Cup on NBC. He is also the master of ceremonies for all major USA Gymnastics events and is renowned as a motivator and entertainer to many corporations and organizations in America.
The American Cup, one of gymnastics premier international events, is an all-around invitational competition showcasing the top male and female gymnasts in the world. This year's American Cup is also the first premier international event in the USA using the sport's new scoring system. In addition to the United States, the American Cup field is expected to feature gymnasts from Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Romania and Russia. Participating athletes will be announced closer to the event.
Tickets are $25, $35 and $75 and may be purchased through several different avenues: via phone at 888.OWLS.TIX; online at liacourascenter.com; or in person at the Liacouras Center Box Office. For 2006, the American Cup returns to its traditional all-around format, with eight men and eight women competing in the finals on March 4, which will be televised live on NBC at 1:00 p.m.
