OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS, HOPEFULS COMING TO MOLINE, ILL., FOR PROGRESSIVE SKATING & GYMNASTICS SPECTACULAR
2008 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST NASTIA LIUKIN, REIGNING U.S. CHAMPION DANELL LEYVA, 2009 and 2010 U.S. CHAMPION JOHNATHON HORTON HEADLINE
Moline, Ill. (October 3, 2011) – Some of the world’s best and most exciting names in gymnastics will descend on the quad cities in celebration of two of the most popular Olympic sports. The Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular, coming to the i Wireless Center on October 29, is part of the Pandora NBC Skating Series and will feature Olympic, world and national medalists in figure skating and gymnastics, including Olympic hopefuls for the London 2012 Summer Games.
Leading the cast of world-class gymnasts is 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin, returning for her fifth appearance in the show. Liukin left the Beijing Games with silver medals in the team event, the uneven bars and balance beam, as well as a bronze medal in the floor exercise, and is one of the most decorated gymnasts in United States history.
Johnathon Horton also left Beijing with hardware, a silver medal on high bar and a bronze medal in the team event. In 2009, Horton began his road back to the Olympics, claiming the U.S. all-around title in back-to-back years (2009 and 2010); he finished runner-up in the all-around competition in 2011. He also won the 2010 world bronze medal in the all-around.
Joining Horton on the road to London is the current U.S. all-around champion, Danell Leyva. Leyva finished runner up to Horton at the 2010 national championships but edged him out for the 2011 title.
Liukin, Horton and Leyva will be joined by members of the 2004 Olympic silver medal team Courtney Kupets and Courtney McCool, and Chris Brooks, who finished in fourth place at the 2011 Nationals and is an alternate for the 2011 Worlds team.
The cast of gymnasts will join an all-star lineup of figure skaters as well, including two-time Olympic silver medalist Elvis Stojko, 2010 Olympic bronze medalist Joannie Rochette, and world champion Todd Eldredge.
Performing live during the show will also be upcoming singing stars Greyson Chance, Cody Simpson, Ariana Grande and Shane Harper.
NBC will tape the show for a national broadcast on January 8, 2012, and Olympic champions Bart Conner, Nadia Comaneci and Peggy Fleming will host the show live.
The Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular promises to be a great kick-off to the upcoming Olympic year, providing the opportunity to see champions live and to preview potential 2012 Team USA members.
Tickets are $25, $35, $55 and $85, available at the i wireless Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, and online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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