INDIANAPOLIS, October 14, 2020 – Six U.S. athletes will join delegations from China, Japan and Russia for an international friendly competition Nov. 8 in Tokyo, Japan. The one-day Friendship and Solidarity Competition will feature two teams – Team Friendship and Team Solidarity – which will be comprised of a mixture of artistic gymnasts from the participating nations.

Men’s National Team members Paul Juda, Yul Moldauer and Shane Wiskus and Women’s National Team members Sophia Butler, eMjae Frazier and Shilese Jones are slated to compete. All participants will follow strict medical guidelines based on those that were approved in September by the International Gymnastics Federation’s Executive Committee and reviewed by the USA Gymnastics medical staff. Safety protocols, such as regular COVID-19 testing and private travel and lodging accommodations, are intended to create a “bubble” atmosphere for participating athletes.

While each team will consist of eight gymnasts and all gymnasts can compete on all apparatus, only the top three scores on each apparatus will count toward the overall team score. All-around and individual apparatus competitions will not be held in conjunction with this event.

Athlete selection for the Friendship and Solidarity Competition was based on interest from U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team members.