FIG Announces 2014-15 All-Around World Cup Series Schedule

The International Gymnastics Federation today announced the schedule for the 2014-15 all-around World Cup Series, featuring three of the world’s best all-around competitions.  This year’s series kicks off with the 32nd ENBW DTB Cup in Stuttgart, Germany, Nov. 29-30; picks up one week later with the Glasgow World Cup in Glasgow, Great Britain, on Dec. 6; and concludes on March 7, 2015, with the AT&T American Cup in Dallas, Texas.

Wolfgang Willam of Germany, the president of the FIG Competition Commission, said: "This Series is a great opportunity for artistic gymnastics to showcase its top all-around gymnasts in the world and to promote the sport at the highest level. With the remarkable amount of prize money per event and the 'Jackpot' for the overall winner, the World Cup Series is especially attractive for the best gymnasts."

Invitations to compete in this World Cup Series are based on rankings from the all-around at this year’s World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which conclude on Oct. 12, in Nanning, China. Each event is an all-around competition with a field of eight men and eight women.  Athletes gain points based on performances in the three World Cup Series events, and the top male and female athletes win the World Cup Series title and share in the 100,000 CHF overall prize pool.  The USA’s Elizabeth Price won the 2013-14 women’s Series title, and Germany’s Fabian Hambuechen and Great Britain’s Daniel Purvis tied for the men’s Series top spot.

ENBW DTB Cup, Nov. 29-30, Porsche Arena.  This historical event, which dates back 32 years, is the official start to the 2014-15 World Cup Series.  Stuttgart is the gymnastics capital in Germany. The women’s competition is Nov. 29, with the men taking the floor on Nov. 30. The 2013 champions were the USA’s Elizabeth Price and the Ukraine’s Oleg Verniaiev.  For tickets and more information, go to enbwdtbpokal.de.  

“We are very proud to welcome the best all-around gymnasts in the world,” said Valeri Belenki, the tournament director. “The Porsche-Arena will be sold out – so Stuttgart is ready to celebrate a great gymnastics party!”

Glasgow World Cup, Dec. 6, Emirates Arena. The 2014 event, the United Kingdom's round of the prestigious World Cup, returns to Emirates Arena with what promises to be another star-studded line-up of international gymnasts battling for gold. Taking place shortly after the sold out 2014 Commonwealth Games and ahead of the 2015 World Championships also in Glasgow, this will be a fantastic opportunity to see many of the top international gymnasts. Romania’s Larisa Iordache and Verniaiev won in 2013. For tickets and more information, go to www.glasgowworldcup.com.

"The Glasgow World Cup has become one of the premier events in the UK and athletes competing in this event enjoy warm hospitality and a great competition atmosphere,” said Jane Allen, CEO of British Gymnastics. “The event has been a sellout for the past three years and following a fabulous Commonwealth Games and with the build up to the 2015 World Championships, we are expecting the event to be better than ever this year."

AT&T American Cup, March 7, 2015, AT&T Stadium.  The AT&T American Cup is the most prestigious international invitational held in the United States.  For the first time in history, the AT&T American Cup will be held in a football stadium and has the potential to boast the event’s largest audience. AT&T Stadium is home to the Dallas Cowboys and is the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venue in the world.  The USA’s Sam Mikulak and Price won the 2014 titles, joining the list of former champions that began with Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner in 1976 and has grown to include some of the sport's best-known names, including Maxim Devyatovskiy, Fabian Hambuechen, Paul Hamm, Jonathan Horton, Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Shannon Miller, Carly Patterson, Mary Lou Retton, Vitaly Scherbo, Jordyn Wieber, Peter Vidmar and Elena Zamolodchikova.  Tickets are on sale, and for more information, go to www.attamericancup.com.

“The USA is honored to host the final event of this great Series,” said Steve Penny, president and CEO of USA Gymnastics.  “Competing in AT&T Stadium is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of the world’s greatest all-around gymnasts.”

Background information

International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). The International Gymnastics Federation is the governing body for gymnastics worldwide. It is the oldest established international sports federation and has participated in the Olympic Games since their revival in 1896. The FIG governs seven disciplines: gymnastics for all, men's artistic, women's artistic, rhythmic, trampoline, aerobic and acrobatic. It counts 135 national member federations and boasts a 29-person staff at its international seat in Lausanne, Switzerland, host city of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  For more information, go to www.fig-gymnastics.com.

German Gymnastics Federation.  The DTB (Deutscher Turner-Bund) was founded in 1848 and is one of the oldest sports federations worldwide. To date, it has second largest membership of Germany´s sports federations, including more than 5 million people with approximately 20,000 clubs. The DTB hosts a total of 16 different sports, including the Olympic disciplines of men’s and women´s artistic gymnastics, trampoline and rhythmic gymnastics. With its signature brands “Kinderturnen”, and “Gymwelt,” the DTB offers a program for children ages 2-10, as well as athletic health-oriented sports for adults and senior citizens. For more information, go to www.dtb-online.de.

British Gymnastics Federation.  British Gymnastics is proud to be the UK Governing Body for the sport of Gymnastics. We exist to support, lead and inspire all those involved or interested in Gymnastics. British Gymnastics provides a national directive and structure for the sport; delivering a range of opportunities across the age spectrum to take part and stay in gymnastics, as well as developing talent and delivering top-level success. www.british-gymnastics.org

USA Gymnastics. Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States.  Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport.  Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and group gymnastics.  For more complete information, log on to www.usagym.org.