Visa Challenge Set for April 27-28 in Fairfax, Virginia

[JBS]

Visa Challenge Set for April 27-28 in Fairfax, Virginia

Pan American Plaza, Suite 300, 201 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana 46225
Phone: 317/237-5050
Fax: 317/237-5069
DATE: March 23, 1995
Luan Peszek, Public Relations Director
Ramonna Robinson, Public Relations Coordinator

Top gymnasts from the United States, China and Belarus will compete in the 1995 Visa Challenge Thursday, April 27, and Friday, April 28, at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va.

Top USA National Team Members will compete for both the men and women. For women, the USA team is ranked second from the 1994 Team World Championships (Romania is first), China is fourth and Belarus is sixth. For men, China is the defending World Champions from the 1994 Team World Championships, Belarus is ranked fourth, followed by the USA in ninth.

"This is a thrilling event for Visa to sponsor," said Janet L. Soderstrom, Senior Vice President for Advertising and Marketing Services for Visa USA. "The Visa Challenge will be an outstanding opportunity for our American team to gain valuable experience competing against the world's best. This important competition is also a continuation of our commitment to help U.S. athletes prepare for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta."

At last year's triangular competition with Belarus and China, the USA men and women won the team title. Belarus was second for the women followed by China in third. For the men, China was second followed by Belarus.

Thursday night's competition begins at 7:30 p.m. and the men will compete floor exercise, pommel horse and still rings, while the women will compete vault and uneven bars. Individual awards for these events will be presented after the competition. Friday night's competition also begins at 7:30 p.m. and the men will compete vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar, while the women will compete balance beam and floor exercise. Individual awards for these events will be presented after the competition, as well as all-around and team awards.

Tickets for each evening are $17.50 and $12.50, with a limited number of gold circle seats. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, at the Patriot Center Box Office or by phone at (202)432-SEAT or (703)573-SEAT. Combination tickets for both nights may be purchased at a discounted price. For accessible seating call (703)993-3035. For group discounts, call (301)350-1500.

If you would like to obtain a media credential to cover the event send or fax a letter of request on company letterhead to Luan Peszek or Ramonna Robinson at USA Gymnastics or call (317)237-5050 for more information. Fax: (317) 237-5069.

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