Page 16 - Florida Sentinel 6-28-18

Local Event
City To Host 2018 AAU National Gymnastics Championship
The City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department will host the 2018 AAU Age Group National Gymnastics Championship. It begins on Thursday, June 28th, and cul- minates on Sunday, June 30th.
During the weekend, 1,800 gymnasts from twenty- two states will descend upon the Tampa Convention Center to compete in the 2018 AAU Age Group National Gymnas- tics Championship. The event is hosted by the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recre- ation Department, the Chil- dren’s Athletic and Dance Opportunities, Inc., and the Tampa Bay Sports Commis- sion.
The opening ceremonies on Friday, June 29th, pre- sented by the Krewe of The Knights of Sant’ Yago, will feature a parade of champi- ons, beads, knights, floats, and a few surprises.
PAUL DIAL
Paul Dial, Director of Parks & Recreation said, “Tampa Parks and Recreation is honored to host this im- pressive event. We welcome these young athletes and look forward to them displaying their gymnastic talents, here in Tampa.”
Gymnasts from the across the nation have competed all year for an opportunity to qualify for this summer’s
event. The athletes, range in age from 4-years-old to 34- years-old, will complete in Levels 1 to 10 and in all Excel Levels.
“Every year the event fea- tures the “Kids Helping Kids” campaign. This year, we help raise awareness for foster care kids in the State of Florida. All of the money col- lected through the campaign will receive matching funds from the AAU National Office, in order to purchase suitcases for foster care kids in the State of Florida.”
For more information about donating to the cam- paign, contact Liz Nichols at www.aausports.org.
For more information about the 2018 AAU Age Group National Gymnastics Championship, visit https://www.tampaage- groupnationals.com; or visit www.candosports.org.
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