National Gymnastics Day- the year of the handstand

In celebration of National Gymnastics Day, USA Gymnastics held an event to break a record of the most gymnasts doing a handstand at the same moment. Doing our part, gymnasts in our gym held a handstand at 1pm EST. We added 17 handstanders to the count, and we hope we help to break the record today. Woo hoo!

Above is a slideshow of handstand photos taken by gymnastics clubs around the US at 1pm EST today, September 17, 2011. Look for the photo from our gym- Desert Thunder Gymnastics. (they are presented in alphabetical order- look for the "Ds")  Yours truly had to do some gymnastics of my own in climbing up to a high place to take the photo. (-:

Update:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 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 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  Money raised will benefit Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in each club’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 individual gymnastics clubs, the Governors of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana,Nevada and Texas proclaimed today, September 17, 2011, as Gymnastics Day in their respective state.

And here is the photo from our gym's participation: