DUARTE'S GYMNASTICS

About USA GYMNASTICS

• What IS IT
• What Does it Feature
• How Do I contact It
• USA GYMNASTICS AND IT'S GYMNASTS

USA Gymnastics Online (USAGO) is the official website of USA Gymnastics, a not-for-profit organization which is the sole national governing body (NGB) for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. USA Gymnastics gets this designation from the International Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation.

USA Gymnastics sets the rules and policies that govern gymnastics in this country. Training and selecting the U.S. Gymnastics Teams for the Olympics and World Championships are just two of the many responsibilities of USA Gymnastics.

The purpose of USA Gymnastics Online is to support and enhance the ongoing activities of all departments at USA Gymnastics, which include: Programs, Membership, Special Events, Safety and Education, Marketing, Public Relations, Merchandise, and the USA Gymnastics National Team. For more information about our organization, please see "Inside USA Gymnastics."

USA Gymnastics is the sole national governing body (NGB) for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. It gets this designation from the International Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation. USA Gymnastics sets the rules and policies that govern gymnastics in this country. Training and selecting the U.S. Gymnastics Teams for the Olympics and World Championships are just two of the many responsibilities of USA Gymnastics. The not-for-profit organization was established in Tucson, Ariz., in 1963. During the mid-1960s the U.S. had scarcely 7,000 athletes competing a limited schedule. The only major international events for gymnasts were the Olympic Games and the Pan American Games. Today, more than 71,000 athletes are registered in competitive programs through USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics has more than 13,000 professional and instructor members. Approximately 3,000 competitions and events throughout the U.S. are sanctioned annually. USA Gymnastics is headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., with several other sports' NGBs and has expanded very quickly in its 30 plus years. The original staff of three has grown to approximately 40 employees maintaining the following areas:

This area consists of men's, women's, rhythmic and general gymnastics programs. They are responsible for all aspects of athlete, coach and official selection and development. This includes conducting clinics, training camps and competitions; coordinating gymnastics delegations to national and international competitions; and providing support for the athletes and coaches who represent the United States here and abroad. Many different gymnastics plans are developed for all ages and skill levels from grassroots to advanced. The programs generate compulsory exercises for developing gymnasts and rule books for registered athletes, coaches and clubs.

Member Services offers a variety of membership programs to all corners of the gymnastics community including gymnasts (both competitive and recreational), coaches, judges, instructors, clubs, parents, fans and gymnastics related businesses. Currently, nearly 100,000 individuals are USA Gymnastics members. For more information about each program's benefits and how to apply, visit our web site at http://www.usa-gymnastics.org or call Member Services at 1-800-345-4719.

Merchandise is also a part of Member Services. It incorporates the production and sales of various USA Gymnastics apparel, promotional items, educational materials and video tapes. Products can be purchased through the Locker Room direct mail program and the Club Retail program, as well as at on-site event souvenir areas. USA Gymnastics offers seasonal selections of exclusive souvenir merchandise and training apparel.

This area of Member Services administers USA Gymnastics Safety Certification Program, the Kinder Accreditation for Teachers (KAT) Program, the Professional Development Program (PDP), the Athlete Wellness Program (AWP) and develops various educational materials such as books and pamphlets.

This area now also falls under the Member Services Department. Publications produces two magazines including USA Gymnastics, a bi-monthly, four color publication geared toward the athlete, coach and gymnastics enthusiast, and Technique magazine, a technical publication designed for professional members of the sport. Technique, a black and white publication, is published 10 times per year. To order either publication, contact the Member Services department at 1-800-345-4719. In addition, the publications department produces media guides, newsletters, event programs, reports, the Congress Proceedings Book and other promotional items used to generate exposure for the sport.

This department annually conducts and produces five to six nationally televised events including national championships and international invitationals. This includes all aspects of the event from site selection to venue staging and production of the entire competition. Also, this department arranges delegation travel and housing and tends to the needs of USA Gymnastics' national and international guests.

The marketing department encompasses the areas of communications, corporate sponsorships, and television sales. The department's goal is to generate exposure for gymnastics to the public and recognition for USA Gymnastics' corporate partners.

Through the media and public relations efforts, this department strives to increase the public's awareness of USA Gymnastics and its athletes, coaches, events, and programs. The department also provides information to USA Gymnastics Online, which can be viewed at: http://www.usa-gymnastics.org

The ultimate achievement for athletes involved in USA Gymnastics' national programs is winning a place on the National Team while working towards competing at the Olympic Games. Each National Team Member works his/her way through a structured system of competition. U.S. men's team members are mostly products of private clubs or collegiate gymnastics programs while most of the U.S. women's and rhythmic team members come from private clubs and organizations. Every potential Olympian must win a place on the National Team through a selection process. This process is supervised by USA Gymnastics, the umbrella organization composed of 22 Constituent Organizations (listed at right) which are the back-bone of gymnastics in the U.S., and helps participants advance from the grassroots to the Olympic level.