June 23, 2014- Gymnasts from all around the Pittsburgh area came together to break a world record! 735 gymnasts arrived at the Roberto Clemente Bridge on the North Shore to simultaneously cartwheel into the Guinness Book of World Records to beat the record for most simultaneous cartwheels in one place. The previous record was set on July 9, 2009 in the Netherlands with 482 participants.
Of the 735 participants in today’s event, one gymnast was met with cheers and excitement. 2012 Olympic gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas came to Pittsburgh to join the local gymnasts in their event. And why today? June 23 is Olympic Day, created for celebrating Olympics values: respect, sportsmanship, and the unification across cultural and societal borders. And who better to help celebrate Olympic day with local gymnasts than the reigning Olympic all-around champion? However, Douglas was not the only Olympian attending the day’s event. Pittsburgh native and current head coach of the University of Pittsburgh women’s basketball team Suzie McConnell-Serio, a member of the 1988 gold-medal winning US women’s basketball team was also in attendance to celebrate such a monumental occasion and speak about the importance of Olympic Day.
Why Pittsburgh? This city has been chosen as the location for the 2014 P&G Championships that will take place on August 21-24 in the Consol Energy Center. This event will host the nation’s most competitive gymnasts vying for the national title. It will feature both junior and senior divisions of men and women. Congratulations to all who participated and now hold a world record, almost as exciting as that Olympic medal!
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