Numerous fans will gather at the Emirates Arena tomorrow (12th
of March, 2016) to witness the performance of the world’s leading gymnasts.
There are approximately 5,000 people who bought tickets for
the Glasgow World Cup, a competition which serves as one of the country’s most
significant events to be held in this year’s sports calendar.
The first ever British artistic gymnast to win a gold medal
at the World Championships, Max Whitlock, will be leading the line-up together
with the four-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist Claudia Fragapane and World
team silver medalist Daniel Purvis.
There is a total of 600 children from across Glasgow who
have participated in the gymnastics training at the Emirates Arena. They are
given the opportunity to try their skills on the apparatus as part of a World
Cup legacy program.
The World Cup is one of the last possible opportunity to
watch the top performers of last year’s Glasgow Championships here in Britain before
they move forward to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships gold medalist
Max Whitlock said: “I can’t wait to perform in front of the Glasgow crowd again
so soon after the World Championships, which will live with me forever. The
World Cup is really special and this year promises to be right up there as we
prepare for the Rio Olympics.”
“The atmosphere is always incredible at the Emirates Arena
and that can make all the difference out there on the podium. The fans bring
out the best in you and we all want to put on a show. It is going to be
something else and with some tickets still available you can still be part of it.”
Claudia Fragapane added, “It is great to be back competing
in Glasgow. The fans lifted the roof at the World Championships and it will be
the same again on Saturday at the World Cup. Every gymnast wants to compete at
the highest level in full venues and that is what we are looking forward to
this weekend.”
“For the British gymnasts it is one of the last chances to
compete on home soil before Rio 2016 and we want to give the fans a performance
to be proud of. If it is anything like previous years, it is going to be so
inspiring and it is not too late for the fans to book their place and be at the
heart of the action.”
Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow
Life, Councillor Archie Graham OBE, said: “It only seems like yesterday that we
delivered the best ever World Gymnastics Championships - one of the biggest
celebrations of sport ever witnessed in the UK.
“The World Cup has also given us so many special moments
over the years and 2016 will be no different. Demand from fans has once again been
incredibly high, but there is still time to secure tickets for what will be one
of the best gymnastics anywhere in the world this year.”
The Director of Events of VisitScotland, Paul Bush OBE, said:
“Glasgow World Cup Gymnastics will be the last chance to see the stars of
British Gymnastics on home soil ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games and it is set
to be a thrilling occasion, with Rio qualification still a possibility for many
athletes.
“It will also be a terrific opportunity for fans to welcome
returning World Champion Max Whitlock and fellow medalists, Dan Purvis and
Claudia Fragapane, following the hugely successful World Gymnastics
Championships in 2015. I’m sure a rapturous reception awaits the heroes of that
event at the Emirates Arena on Saturday.”
Glasgow World Cup Gymnastics is delivered in collaboration
between British Gymnastics and Glasgow Life on behalf of Glasgow City Council
with financial support from EventScotland and National Lottery investment from
UK Sport. The competition forms part of UK Sport’s National EveryRoadtoRio
campaign to attract world-class sport to the UK and give British athletes the
chance to continue their preparations for the Summer Olympics.
The Glasgow World Cup is the 2nd of the 3 events in the FIG’s
2015/16 Cup Series following the American Cup and to be followed by the
Stuttgart World Cup. The competition will showcase the world’s greatest
gymnasts who will compete in the “all-around” format with six apparatus for the
men and four for the women.
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