There’s a ‘day’ for everything. And on June 23rd Olympic Day will have its, well, day on Monument Circle.
“Olympic Day is a great opportunity for families to come downtown and enjoy this special day,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “There will be something for everyone, from the opportunity to hear from some Olympic greats, to participating in kid-friendly booths and activities, to the world record attempt for the most handstands at one time. Olympic Day is recognized around the world, and we want Indianapolis to stage an incredible celebration.”
This special day of activities is being hosted by the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships, USA Gymnastics, Indiana Sports Corp and USA Track and Field. The fun runs from 11am-2pm, including:
- – A world record attempt for the most handstands at one time at 12:45pm. Local gymnasts, Girls Scouts and other local youth groups to participate.
- – A human replica of the Olympic rings symbol
- – Olympic athlete appearances by Shannon Miller and Jaycie Phelps (1996, gymnastics), Quinn Buckner (1976, basketball) Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, athletics), Stephanie Arnold (2004, archery) and Ron Galimore (1980, gymnastics)
- – 2014 Youth Olympic bronze-medalist and 2016 Olympic hopeful Alec Yoder of Indianapolis is also expected to attend
- – Q&A with Olympians is set for 12pm
Kids and other visitors will have the chance to participate in the USA Gymnastics Fitness Zone, interactive activities staged by USA Track and Field and Indiana Sports Corp, and hear from the Olympians about their experiences and get autographs. Music and food trucks will also be on hand, as well as other booths and activities with local organizations.
“Indianapolis has a long and storied relationship with the U.S. Olympic movement, and we are thrilled to co-host an Olympic Day celebration,” said Ryan Vaughn, Indiana Sports Corp president. “Having so many Olympic champions on hand to share their stories and mingle with attendees makes the day incredibly special. This is also great way to build awareness of the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships that will be here in August and the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials for Diving.”
The Indianapolis celebration is among the more than 1,000 Olympic Day events taking place across the USA from May 31-June 30. Olympic Day was created in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games.
About the P&G Championships
Scheduled for Aug. 13-16, the four-day the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships, which serves as USA Gymnastics’ national championships, will be held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Single-session tickets are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at Ticketmaster through www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster charge by phone 1-800-745-3000 or at participating Walmart locations in Central Indiana and Bankers Life Fieldhouse Box Office. Tickets are also available at a discounted price through participating local gymnastics clubs. Prices will vary.
The competition schedule – which is subject to change – is:
- – Thursday, 8/13 – women’s gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m., and seniors at 7:30 p.m.;
- – Friday, 8/14 – men’s gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m., and seniors at 7 p.m.;
- – Saturday, 8/15 – women’s gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m., and seniors at 7:30 p.m.;
- – Sunday, 8/16 – men’s gymnastics, seniors at 1:30 p.m., and juniors at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships, go to pgchamps.com.
