Marietta, Cobb County, Georgia
USA Gymnastics and Special Olympics joined forces to host these Championships. The annual event features competition in Artistic Gymnastics with Men’s, Women’s & Unified divisions, Rhythmic gymnastics with individual, group and unified divisions, and TeamGym. At the end of the competition, all teams are invited to perform an exhibition routine in the Gala. Bob Gkobrecht from SO N. America said,” The inclusion of unified pairs into the championships allows athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to work together as a team in gymnastics and furthers our mission of unity through the power of sport.”
Cindy Bickman orchestrated and organized this meet and continues to every year. Local hosts included Chattooga Gymnastics, Special Olympics Georgia, & the Cobb County Special Olympics Gymnastics Team. The meets started with a one-day event in 2011, followed by a banquet to a 2 day event the following year with coaches training included. Over the years, this event is both popular and a mainstay in our inclusion movement.