Regional USA Gymnastics Championship to Generate $2.1 Million in Estimated Economic Impact

The Greenville-Pitt County Sports Commission is extremely excited to announce the 2020 USA Gymnastics Region 8 Level 9 & 10 Regional Championship will be held April 17-19, 2020 at the Greenville Convention Center. This regional championship, being held in Greenville for the first time, will bring in gymnasts from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina, and is expected to generate over $2.1 million in estimated economic impact to the local Greenville-Pitt County economy.

“Region 8 is a very strong gymnastics region,” said Darlene Rose, owner and director of Rose’s Gymnastics Training Center. “The programs in this region are known nationally for producing quality, top level gymnastics. Many of our gymnasts obtain full scholarships to some of the best college gymnastics programs in the country, including the University of Georgia, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, University of Utah, University of Denver, University of Missouri, UCLA, and others. Many college coaches will be on hand to recruit from this event.”

This championship marks continued growth of the Greenville-Pitt County Sports Commission working with National Governing Bodies. These organizations, such as USA Gymnastics, are recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the organizations responsible for the training and competition of athletes in their respective sports. These National Governing Bodies are also responsible for nominating athletes to represent the United States at all international competitions, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A priority for the newly formed Greenville-Pitt County Sports Commission, in partnership with local clubs and facilities, is to increase the number of tournaments hosted by National Governing Bodies in Greenville-Pitt County. The tournaments run by National Governing Bodies are recognized across the country as premier events, and give the Greenville-Pitt County Sports Commission more credibility when recruiting other tournaments to our destination. Hosting these tournaments also gives Greenville-Pitt County a chance to showcase itself to more visitors, many of whom have not been to the area before.

“This Championship is great exposure for Greenville-Pitt County to high school athletes from across the Southeast,” said Gray Williams, Executive Director of the Greenville-Pitt County Sports Commission. “This shows Greenville and Pitt County is not only a great place to host statewide championships, but we are a destination that competes and is able to host regional and national championships.”

“The girls competing in this meet will be showing high caliber gymnastics skills and will be very exciting to watch. Lots of flipping and twisting on all events,” Darlene Rose continued. “Rose’s Gymnastics expects to have at least 6 girls qualify to this event. We are honored to have been awarded such a large and prestigious gymnastics event. We are looking forward to hosting this event and showing the gymnasts, judges, coaches, and parents attending this function Greenville hospitality!”