Thousands Of Athletes To Attend 2023 USA Gymnastics Championships In Tulsa

A huge gymnastics event is coming to Tulsa next June and will bring thousands of athletes here and put million into our economy.

USA Gymnastics said Tulsa is the perfect fit because it's convenient whether you're traveling from out of state to get here or going back and forth between buildings.

"My team and I have the honor of being behind putting on some of America's biggest and most prestigious gymnastics events showcasing the best athletes in the world representing the United States of America. On behalf of USA Gymnastics, I'm honored to share the news that the 2023 USA Gymnastics Championships will be coming to Tulsa's BOK Center and the COX Business Centers next June," said Scott Cole, Director of Events for USA Gymnastics.

World class gymnasts from all over the U.S. will compete in acrobatic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling as well as rhythmic gymnastics and will put Tulsa back in the national sports spotlight.

Elite athletes will compete inside the BOK. The developmental gymnasts will be in the Cox Business Convention Center. The junior and senior national teams for each discipline will be named at the BOK Center at the conclusion of the event.

"As soon as it was announced she turned around and looked at me with the biggest eyes, and she is absolutely thrilled," said Cristin Hamman.

This came as a total surprise to Cristin Hamman whose 12-year-old daughter Ember is a two-time national champion gymnast.

"It just gives her so much confidence to be able to do it for her hometown in her home state," said Hamman.

Oklahoma is no stranger to the sport and hosted the U.S. classic in 2000.

"Oklahoma has a rich history of gymnastics. Of course, the Oklahoma Sooners men have won 12 NCAA titles and the women have won 5 of the last 8," said Cole.

About 1,700 athletes will compete with about 500 coaches, support staff, family and friends there to show support.

"You will be seeing future Olympians at the event. In fact, you'll actually see some Olympians that were in this past Olympics as well as Olympics prior to," said Cole.

"I'm so excited," said Cassia Carr, Deputy Mayor of Tulsa. "Not only are we gonna get world class athletes, but also all of their friends and family that many are coming to Tulsa for the first time. [...] All of our restaurants and I'm hoping some of our attractions like Guthrie Green, the Tulsa Zoo, the Philbrook Museum and of course the Gathering Place, and this event is estimated to bring in over 2,200 attendees to be hanging out downtown, going to all the restaurants. We need all those restaurant workers to be ready keeping those athletes all fueled up."

"Thank goodness we have those 33-foot-high ceilings for the trampoline and tumbling," said Angie Teel, ASM Tulsa Asst. GM of the Cox Business Convention Center. "We are so excited to see everybody in their red, white and blue through Tulsa enjoying all of our restaurants, our attractions, and staying at our hotels."

Thousands of people will be sleeping, eating and shopping in the Tulsa area.

"Gonna bring over 4,133 room nights to the city so that is going to fill up restaurants and retail and create a really thriving environment," said Renee McKenney, SVP Tulsa Regional Chamber/President Tulsa Regional Tourism.

The Championship is set for June 20 through 24.

The city estimates the event will have a $3 million economic impact on Tulsa.