2014 American Cup Goes to to Greensboro, NC

USA Gymnastics announced today that the AT&T American Cup will return to the east coast in 2014 with Greensboro, North Carolina as the host city. Scheduled

May 21, 2013 by Anne Phillips

2014 American Cup Goes to to Greensboro, NC

USA Gymnastics announced today that the AT&T American Cup will return to the east coast in 2014 with Greensboro, North Carolina as the host city.

Scheduled for March 1, 2014, the American Cup in an FIG World Cup featuring a small field of all around gymnasts. It's typically the first big elite meet of the year, making it extra exciting.

Jake Dalton during 2013 AT&T American Cup podium training. Photo by Marina Mazor.

The reigning women's Champion is WOGA's Katelyn Ohashi, following in the footsteps of 3-time American Cup Champion Jordyn Wieber. On the men's side, Olympian Jake Dalton won the crown in 2013.

The big weekend in Greensboro will also mark the 5th edition of the Nastia Liukin Cup, held in the same arena on the eve of the American Cup. The defending Champion is Alex McMurtry of Richmond Olympiad.

Take a look back at 2013 AT&T American Cup podium training:

Watch more video of 2013 American Cup on gymnastike.org

Below is the full release from USA Gymnastics:

GREENSBORO, N.C. May 21, 2013 -- USA Gymnastics, the U.S. national governing body for gymnastics, announced today that the 2014 AT&T American Cup has been awarded to Greensboro, N.C., the first time the event has been held in North Carolina. Scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2014, at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, the AT&T American Cup is the premier international event held in the United States.

The competition features top male and female all-around gymnasts from around the world and is broadcast live on NBC Sports. Tickets are expected to go on sale this summer.

"North Carolina has a lot of gymnastics fans and athletes, and Greensboro will be the AT&T American Cup's first host city in the state," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "We were impressed with the facilities, the hospitality, enthusiasm of the local community, and the commitment of civic and city officials. The local organizations have a successful track record for hosting Olympic and amateur sports events. We look forward to a strong partnership and a great event in 2014."

In conjunction with the AT&T American Cup, the Nastia Liukin Cup, which features many of the country's top Junior Olympic female gymnasts, will be held on Feb. 28 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, the night prior to the American Cup. The Nastia Liukin Cup, named after the 2008 Olympic gold medalist and one of the USA's most popular gymnasts, showcases gymnasts who qualify through the Nastia Liukin Cup Series. The Cup series includes many of the top invitationals held in the USA from January through February.

"We are thrilled to be selected for these prestigious national and international gymnastics competitions," said Matt Brown, managing director of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. "To host an elite event such as the AT&T American Cup, with a live, national broadcast, is tremendous exposure for Greensboro. Having USA Gymnastics bring these events to Greensboro is further confirmation of our first-class facilities and our demonstrated major event capabilities."

Greensboro will be "gymnastics central" the last week of February because the 2014 Greater Greensboro Invitational is scheduled for Feb. 26-March 2, 2014, and will serve as the final qualifying event for the Nastia Liukin Cup. This is the first time the event has been part of the Nastia Liukin Cup Series. In addition, designated women's sessions for the invitational's finals will use the equipment and podium brought in for the AT&T American Cup. To register for the Greater Greensboro Invitational, click here.

"USA Gymnastics has created an amazing top-tier Gymnastics Week in Greensboro," said Hill Carrow, chairman of North Carolina 2014, a collaborative team of local organizations including the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greensboro Sports Commission, serving as hosts for the gymnastics competitions. "This is the first time the Nastia Liukin Cup and the AT&T American Cup have been held in North Carolina, and it is our goal to ensure that the very positive experience of the gymnastics athletes and officials leads to more USA Gymnastics events in the state."

The USA's Katelyn Ohashi of Allen, Texas/WOGA, and Jake Dalton of Reno, Nev./University of Oklahoma, won the 2013 AT&T American Cup. They join an impressive list of former American Cup champions, including Bart Conner, Paul Hamm, Jonathan Horton, Shawn Johnson, Danell Leyva, Liukin, Shannon Miller, Carly Patterson, Mary Lou Retton, Peter Vidmar and Jordyn Wieber. Past sites for the American Cup include: New York City (1976-80, 1982-84, 2004, 2008, 2012); Ft. Worth, Texas (1981, 1996-98); Indianapolis, Ind. (1985); Fairfax, Va. (1986-90, 2003); Orlando, Fla. (1991-94, 2000-02); Seattle, Wash. (1995); St. Petersburg, Fla. (1999); Uniondale, N.Y. (2005); Philadelphia (2006); Jacksonville, Fla. (2007, 2011); Hoffman Estates, Ill. (2009); and Worcester, Mass. (2010, 2013).

The Nastia Liukin Cup made its debut in 2010 in Worcester and returned in 2013. Other sites for the Nastia Liukin Cup are Jacksonville, Fla. (2011), and New York City (2012).