Gymnasts nationwide went upside-down to break world record for simultaneous handstands

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 17, 2011 - 20, 478 gymnasts and fans from more than 100 gymnastics clubs nationwide joined together today to break the world record for most handstands performed simultaneously and bring the title back to the United States.

At precisely 1 p.m. ET, 20,478 of participants throughout the country kicked up into a handstand to break the existing record of 2,402, set by Australian gymnasts in Melbourne to promote the 2005 World Gymnastics Championships.

We originally set the record of 1,072, here in Indianapolis, in July 2005 as part of the run-up to the 2005 Visa Championships,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “Bringing the title back to the USA is a great way to celebrate National Gymnastics Day across the U.S. and help build awareness and support for gymnastics.”

Each year, USA Gymnastics celebrates National Gymnastics Day to build awareness of the sport and support ChildrenÂ’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  Money raised will benefit Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in each clubÂ’s local community. Since 2001, gymnastics clubs across the country have raised more than $1.4 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The clubs have until Nov. 9 to raise and submit their funds for this year.

Along with the support of the individualgymnastics clubs, the Governors of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada and Texas proclaimed today, September 17, 2011, as Gymnastics Day intheir respective state.

For more information on a particular area, National Gymnastics Day and the ChildrenÂ’s Miracle Network Hospitals, go to www.usagym.org/ngd.

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