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2012 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships head to Everett, Snohomish County

Published on Thu, Sep 8, 2011
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2012 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships head to Everett, Snohomish County
All-session tickets go on sale today
 
More than 300 of the world’s best gymnasts will head to the Pacific Northwest for the first time since 1995 when the Comcast Arena plays host to the 2012 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships, March 16-18. Men’s and women’s gymnastics will be held in the Comcast Arena at Everett, with rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline at the Comcast Community Ice Rink.  All-session tickets are now on sale through the Comcast Arena Box Office.
 
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson, USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny and legendary gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi attended the official announcement of the event’s coming to Everett.
 
“Hosting an event of this stature is a huge honor for the state of Washington and the city of Everett,” said Gov. Gregoire. “It not only allows Washingtonians to be a part of the road to the 2012 Olympics in London, but it also will be a boost for local hotels, restaurants and shopkeepers. This event will bring the world to Washington's door.”
 
“The Pacific Rim Championships will be the largest international gymnastics event held in the state of Washington since the 1990 Goodwill Games,” said Penny.  “The character of the Pacific Rim is so alive in the Seattle/Everett area, which provides the perfect backdrop to host athletes from all over this region. This event will be a showcase of some of the world’s top talent as we get ready for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.”
 
The three-day event is expected to feature athletes from more than 14 countries, including Canada, China, Japan, Russia and the United States, competing in men’s, women’s and rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline.
 
“With the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships and 2008’s international Skate America competition, Snohomish County is quickly becoming the location for major indoor sporting events,” said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. “We welcome the athletes, coaches and their families to what we believe is the best part of America.”
 
While the Seattle area has held three major gymnastics events, this is the first time Everett will stage a gymnastics event of this stature. The gymnastics competition at the 1990 Goodwill Games was staged in Tacoma, and Seattle was the site for the 1995 American Cup and 1973 women’s national championships.
 
"The 2012 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships is a wonderful opportunity for Everett to get an international close-up," said Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson. "Eyes from around the globe will be on us as Everett becomes the center of the gymnastics world for a few days next spring."
 
All-session tickets range from $110 to $250 (including facility fees) and may be purchased at the Comcast Arena at Everett Box Office; by phone at 866.332.8499; or online through www.ComcastArenaEverett.com; or through participating area gymnastics clubs. In recognition of Visa's long-time support of USA Gymnastics, Visa is the preferred method of payment. For more information, go to www.usagym.org/events.
 
The event will officially start with an opening ceremony sponsored by the Tulalip Resort Casino. The tentative competition schedule is: March 16, team and all-around finals for women’s gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics; March 17, men’s team and all-around finals, and rhythmic gymnastics individual event finals; and March 18, men’s and women’s individual event finals, and men’s and women’s trampoline preliminary and final rounds.  Everett Community College is an ancillary facility for the event.
 
The Tulalip Resort Casino, one of the event’s sponsors, will also provide rooms for delegations, invited guests and staff, in addition to sponsoring the event’s opening ceremonies. Other local organizations assisting with the event are Everett Community College and Production Sports Management.
 
“We are very pleased to be an event sponsor and official hotel of the Pacific Rim Championships, including supporting the opening ceremonies,” said Ken Kettler, president and COO of the Tulalip Resort Casino. “We look forward to helping the gymnasts, delegation members, and gymnastics fans learn about Tulalip’s culture while they are here and to enjoy the excitement of Tulalip Resort and Quil Ceda Village.”
 
Held every two years, the Pacific Rim Championships traditionally feature gymnasts from Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore and the United States. NBC Sports will televise action from the Pacific Rim Championships. The 2010 Pac Rim Championships were in Melbourne, Australia, and the USA last staged the event in 2008 in San Jose, Calif.