Meanwhile, the top artistic gymnasts are busy preparing for the John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Denver this August. This year we are introducing a new membership category for Team members and for Professional members in general gymnastics. General gymnastics is for anyone who is interested in non-competitive performance gymnastics. We expect to send a delegation of about 500-all of whom will pay their own way to Sweden. A group number is performed as well as individual performances.
Many clubs hold fundraisers in order to earn enough funds to travel and participate.
Nationally our equivalent event is called GymFest. It has expanded from 175 participants at the first GymFest in 1993 to a projected 1,300 participants at the GymFest in Orlando this August. It's great fun. In order to gain an international flavor, we expect to have five or six international groups participating as well. Everyone who has ever attended a GymFest has come away a real fan of general gymnastics.