P&G Championships To Showcase Top Gymnasts
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The best in the world of gymnastics have gathered in Pittsburgh for this weekend's P&G Championships.
Young ladies and men from around the country are getting ready to show the world they are ready to vault into the spotlight.
"We want it to be special in every way -- and not just the competition," Ron Galimore said.
The 2014 P&G Championships are America's national championship. You don't have to look far to find Olympic hopefuls and Olympic heroes.
"A dual competition with another college, or if it's the national championships or in the Olympics, it's the same thing. You've got the butterfly feeling in your stomach. It's not nervous energy, but more excited adrenaline," Samantha Peszek said.
There's one final run-through before they finally get in competition at Consol. As they get set for their routines, they realize it's just a matter of time until all the seats are filled with adoring Pittsburgh fans.
"There's a lot of amazing, talented girls out here that are just getting their feet wet, but will be the future of USA Gymnastics. For Pittsburgh to come out and support them, just to see what USA is going to start producing internationally, would be cool for Pittsburgh to see," Peszek said.
These are some of the sport's rising stars, but the reality is it could be the end of the line for others.
"Sometimes at a national championships like this, it happens at the Olympic Trials. That is one of the happiest and saddest events -- that athletes, six athletes or five athletes are going to go on to the Olympic Games and the road stops for everyone else," Galimore said.
Yet, all those thoughts are pushed aside as they get ready for one of their favorite events of the year.
"They are all competitors, but they also are friends off the competition floor as well. So, being in the same place with everyone and competing in your own country and showing your own fans how great you can do and your new skills -- it's always my favorite time of the year," Peszek said.
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