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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Feb. 27, 2019 – Greensboro, N.C., will be all gymnastics this weekend with the Triple Cup of gymnastics heading to the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum Complex. Anchored by the American Cup, the USA’s most prestigious international event and part of the International Gymnastics Federation’s all-around World Cup series, on March 2 at 11:30 a.m., the weekend kicks off with the Nastia Liukin Cup, which features many of the country’s top Junior Olympic female gymnasts, on March 1 at 7 p.m., and wraps up with the Elite Team Cup, a team event with many of the USA’s top junior men, at 6 p.m. on March 2.

Fans will have the opportunity to see many of the USA’s rising stars in the Nastia Liukin Cup and Elite Team Cup, as well as many of the world’s best men and women, who have their sights on representing their countries in the 2020 Olympic Games, at the American Cup. The fields for the American Cup and the Elite Team Cup are set, and the final two gymnasts for the Nastia Liukin Cup will qualify this week to compete at the Greater Greensboro Invitational, also being held at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.

The American Cup is a one-day, all-around competition, and the field features a mixture of Olympic and World medalists and rising stars, giving fans an up-close view of gymnasts to watch in the 18-month lead-up to the 2020 Olympic Games. Representing the United States at the 2019 American Cup are 2018 World team gold-medalist Grace McCallum of Isanti, Minn./Twin City Twisters; two-time World bronze-medalist Sam Mikulak of Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Olympic Training Center; World bronze-medalist and defending American Cup champion Yul Moldauer of Arvada, Colo./University of Oklahoma; and 2018 U.S. junior all-around champion Leanne Wong of Overland Park, Kansas/GAGE, who is making her debut as a senior.

The international roster includes two-time Olympian and World silver-medalist Ellie Black of Canada; 2017 European Championships all-around bronze-medalist James Hall of Great Britain; 2018 World all-around silver medalist Mai Murakami of Japan; and five-time World gold-medalist Kenzo Shirai of Japan. Additionally, the men’s and women’s rosters include 2016 Olympians Christian Baumann of Switzerland, Bart Deurloo of the Netherlands, and Petro Pakhniuk of the Ukraine; two-time Olympian Kim Bui of Germany; and 2014 Youth Olympic Games two-time silver-medalist Ma Yue of China. Marcel Nguyen of Germany has withdrawn from the competition due to injury.

The 2019 American Cup field, listed by country, is listed below.

Men
China: Ma Yue
Great Britain: James Hall
Japan: Kenzo Shirai
Netherlands: Bart Deurloo
Switzerland: Christian Baumann
Ukraine: Petro Pakhniuk
USA: Samuel Mikulak, Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Olympic Training Center
USA: Yul Moldauer, Arvada, Colo./University of Oklahoma

Women
Canada: Elsabeth “Ellie” Black
China: Lu Yufei
France: Celia Serber
Germany: Kim Bui
Japan: Mai Murakami
Korea: Lee Yunseo
Netherlands: Sanna Veerman
USA: Grace McCallum, Isanti, Minn./Twin City Twisters
USA: Leanne Wong, Overland Park, Kansas/GAGE

Held in conjunction with the American Cup, the Nastia Liukin Cup is named after the 2008 Olympic gold medalist and one of the USA’s most popular gymnasts. Gymnasts qualify through the Nastia Liukin Cup Series, which includes many of the country’s top invitationals held from January through February. For more information and to see the list of participants, go to nastialiukincup.com.

The Elite Team Cup is a regional team event with nine teams of six gymnasts, who were chosen by each of the respective regions. The event’s field includes 13 members of the U.S. National Team: Lazarus Barnhill, Houston, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics; Fuzzy Benas, Richmond, Texas/EnRich Gymnastics and Dance Academy; Landen Blixt, Fowlerville, Mich./Infinity Gymnastics Academy; Brandon Briones, Gilbert, Ariz./Aspire Gymnastics; Taylor Burkhart, Morrison, Colo./5280 Gymnastics; Isaiah Drake, Los Angeles, Calif./Gymnastics Olympica; Raydel Gamboa, Phoenix, Ariz./North Valley Gymnastics; Nicolas Kuebler, Seattle, Wash./Metropolitan Gymnastics; Ian Lasic-Ellis, Dover, Mass./MEGA – Massachusetts; Riley Loos, El Dorado, Calif./Technique Gymnastics; Luke McFarland, East Hartford, Conn./Daggett Gymnastics; Colt Walker, Cedar Park, Texas/AcroTex Gymnastics; and Khoi Young, Bowie, Md./Sportsplex. For more information and the complete field roster, go to americancup.com/eliteteamcup.

On the Greensboro Coliseum concourse, fans will have the opportunity to take photos in GK’s selfie station and browse through GK’s popular leotard styles, as well as purchase everything gymnastics, including event-specific tees, other apparel, and more at the merchandise booth.

In addition to all-session ticket packages that range in price from $89-$149, single session tickets are available for all three events: American Cup, $59-$79; Nastia Liukin Cup, $39 general admission; and Elite Team Cup, $29 general admission. Ticket prices, which are plus applicable fees, vary according to seat location. All-session ticket packages include tickets to all three of the weekend’s events. To purchase tickets, call Ticketmaster’s charge-by-phone line at 800-745-3000, or visit ticketmaster.com or the Greensboro Coliseum Complex Box Office. Group tickets may be purchased by calling 336.373.7433. For more information, go to americancup.com.

For fans who cannot attend in person, all three events are available live online, as well as the American Cup and Nastia Liukin Cup aired on TV. The Olympic Channel will broadcast the American Cup live from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. ET, with NBC’s live coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET. The Nastia Liukin Cup will be televised live on the Olympic Channel at 7 p.m., as well as tape-delayed on NBCSN on March 2 at 11 p.m. ET. A live-stream of both events will be available at NBCSports.com or its app. The Elite Team Cup will also have a live webcast via the USA Gymnastics YouTube Channel.

The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is also hosting the 2019 Greensboro Gymnastics Invitational Feb. 27-March 3. This is the second time the Greensboro Gymnastics Invitational, hosted by Flip Force Gymnastics, has been part of the Nastia Liukin Cup Series. In addition, designated women’s sessions for the invitational’s finals will use the equipment and podium brought in for the American Cup.

The impressive list of former American Cup champions also includes Simone Biles, Bart Conner, Tim Daggett, Gabby Douglas, Paul Hamm, Jonathan Horton, Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Carly Patterson, Danell Leyva, Shannon Miller, Mary Lou Retton, Kurt Thomas, Peter Vidmar, Jordyn Wieber and Kim Zmeskal-Burdette. Past sites for the American Cup include: New York, N.Y. (1976-80, 1982-84, 2004, 2008, 2012); Ft. Worth, Texas (1981, 1996-98); Indianapolis, Ind. (1985); Fairfax, Va. (1986-90, 2003); Orlando, Fla. (1991-94, 2000-02); Seattle, Wash. (1995); St. Petersburg, Fla. (1999); Uniondale, N.Y. (2005); Philadelphia, Pa. (2006); Jacksonville, Fla. (2007, 2011); Hoffman Estates, Ill. (2009, 2018); Worcester, Mass. (2010, 2013); Greensboro, N.C. (2014); Arlington, Texas (2015); and Newark (2016-17).

The Nastia Liukin Cup made its debut in 2010. Past sites include 2018, Hoffman Estates, Ill.; 2016 and 2017, Newark, N.J.; 2015, Arlington, Texas; 2014 and 2019, Greensboro, N.C.; 2013 and 2010, Worcester, Mass.; 2012, New York City; and 2011, Jacksonville, Fla.

The inaugural Elite Team Cup was held in 2014 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Most recently, the event has been staged in Newark, N.J, in 2016-17, and Hoffman Estates, Ill., in 2018.

Background information

• Nastia Liukin. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Liukin’s total of five medals tied the U.S. gymnastics record for most medals in one Olympic Games. Liukin’s Olympic medals are: gold – all-around; silver – team, balance beam and uneven bars; and bronze – floor exercise. Liukin was the third of five U.S. women to win the Olympic all-around crown. She also won nine World medals in her career. Liukin has graced many magazine covers and appeared on various shows, including “Gossip Girl,” “Make It or Break It,” and the feature film, “Stick It.” Liukin was a contestant in the 2015 spring edition of “Dancing with the Stars” and was the grand marshal for the 2015 Indianapolis 500. She currently serves as a gymnastics analyst for NBC Sports and is a founder of Grander, a global community for the next generation of female athletes that provides access to the people who inspire, resources to help achieve dreams, and communities of like-minded people with similar ambitions. Liukin was coached by her father, Valeri, who has four Olympic medals from 1988 including two gold.
• Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit governmental authority whose mission is to aggressively market Greensboro’s assets, maximizing economic impact while providing excellent visitor service. Guilford County ranks third in the state in travel and tourism expenditures, with over $1.41 billion generated in 2017 and more than 13,900 people employed in travel-related jobs. For more information: www.visitgreensboronc.com.
• Greensboro Coliseum Complex. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is a multi-building facility designed to serve the citizens of Greensboro and the surrounding area through a broad range of activities, including athletic events, cultural arts, concerts, theater, educational activities, fairs, exhibits, and public and private events of all kinds including conventions, convocations and trade and consumer shows. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is one of the most actively booked facilities in the country hosting more than 1,100 events on an annual basis. With its incredible versatility, the Complex has gained worldwide acclaim from promoters, producers, event planners and patrons. For more information; www.greensborocoliseum.com.
• Sports & Properties, Inc. SPI is a sports marketing and sports development firm concentrating in four primary areas of business: major sponsorships, including naming rights; sports tourism; sports & entertainment facilities; and major events. SPI recent projects include the Raleigh-Durham market’s Major League Soccer Application, the USA Masters Games, greater Hickory, NC, sports tourism, St. Pete Pier naming rights, and the Seminole County Sports Complex. Event projects include the National Collegiate Table Tennis Championships, U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and the American Cup. SPI clients include Capitol Broadcasting Company, the City of St. Petersburg, FL, the North Carolina Football Club, and the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, among others. For more information on SPI, visit sportsproperties.com.
• Greensboro Gymnastics Invitational (GGI) – Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019, the Greensboro Gymnastics Invitational, hosted by Flip Force Gymnastics, is one of the largest gymnastics events on the East Coast. The event includes competition in men’s and women’s gymnastics, and power tumbling and trampoline. In 2018, GGI hosted over 3,000 athletes and was a Nastia Liukin Cup senior and junior qualifying event. 2018 was also the inaugural year of the GGI State Men’s Team Competition. Held annually at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in February, GGI is directed by Chris Young (Flip Force Gymnastics), Esau Huang (Flip Force Gymnastics), and Sarah Myers (Flip Force Kidsport Gymnastics). GGI is a sponsor of Big Brothers Big Sisters, raising $25,000 for the local chapter. For more information, go to www.greensborogyminvite.com.
• International Gymnastics Federation. The International Gymnastics Federation is the governing body for gymnastics worldwide. It is the oldest established international federation of an Olympic sport and has participated in the Olympic Games since its revival in 1896. The FIG governs eight sports: gymnastics for all, men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline (including double mini-trampoline and tumbling), aerobics, acrobatics, and Parkour. It counts 148 national member federations and has its headquarters in the Olympic capital of Lausanne, Switzerland.
• USA Gymnastics. Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that encourages and supports its athletes and focuses on the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has already taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, log on to usagym.org.