Daytona Beach to Host Four International Gymnastics Events

USA Gymnastics has awarded four international events in 2014 to the Daytona Beach (Fla.) Ocean Center.

The events include the World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships, Nov. 7-9; the World Trampoline and Tumbling Age Group Competition, Nov. 14-16; and the 2014 Junior Pan American Championships and Stars and Stripes Cup, May 9-11.

“Daytona Beach has truly stepped up for USA Gymnastics, and we are excited to partner with such a fun destination,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “We look forward to bringing the world’s best gymnasts to Daytona Beach and hope the community will come out and support these athletes.

“Daytona Beach is no stranger as a host for gymnastics events because the community has already staged the 2010 Senior Pan American Trampoline and Tumbling Championships and 2013 Stars and Stripes Cup (trampoline/tumbling) and will host the 2015 Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships.

The World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships, held annually except in the Olympic year, determines the men’s and women’s World champions in four events: trampoline, synchronized trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline. The World Age Group Competition showcases the world’s best boys and girls in those four events in four age groups: 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18 years of age. The two events are expected to showcase more than 1,100 athletes.

The Junior Pan Am Championships is the qualifying event for North, Central and South America in rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline to the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. The Stars and Stripes Cup is an international competition for rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, synchronized trampoline, double mini-trampoline and tumbling. The two events will be held concurrently. Both of the events combined represents nearly 1,000 athletes, coaches and officials.

The local partners for these events include the Central Florida Sports Commission, the Ocean Center, Volusia County and the Daytona Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, and National Travel Systems is a partner for the World Championships and World Age Group Competition.

“We are delighted to welcome these four prestigious events to Volusia County, something that would not have been possible without the partnership between USA Gymnastics, the Sports Commission, the Ocean Center, Volusia County Government, Daytona Beach CVB and the Volusia County hotel community,” said John Bisignano, president and CEO of the Central Florida Sports Commission. “Together, these events will have a positive economic impact for the region. We look forward to working with our partners to ensure the success of these international events in our community, as we serve our mission to drive economic development through sports.”