SAVANNAH, GA — The YMCA of Coastal Georgia has been selected by the YMCA of the USA to host the 2017 YMCA Gymnastics National Championship and Festival.
The three-day competition will be held at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, June 29 through July 2, 2017. An Olympic-style opening ceremony will be held in Forsyth Park, featuring dinner, entertainment, and activities to be enjoyed by the gymnasts and their families.
“Well it’s a very exciting moment for them, because even in your younger levels they get to participate in an event that is very similar to an Olympic style event,” YMCA Executive Carol Tanrath told WTVM TV. “They have a grand march in like an Olympic style, with the states coming in and thousands of gymnasts that come in. And we’ll have over 6,000 people that come to the city to watch this event.”
They expect about 2,000 gymnasts from around the country to travel to Savannah for the annual competition. Participant qualify by receiving a high enough all-around score at a USA Gymnastics sanctioned meet.
This is the fifth time the YMCA of Coastal Georgia has been chosen to host the competition, and they say next year’s event will be even more exciting since it will be the first time Level 8 teams will compete. It will also mark the first time the Association will have two teams competing. The Liberty County/Armed Services YMCA Gymnastics Team will compete alongside the Islands Family YMCA Gymnastics Team, representing the city and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia.
YMCA of Coastal Georgia thanks the city of Savannah, YMCA of the USA, Visit Savannah, and the Greater Savannah Sports Council for their continued support with the National Championships.
