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Special Olympics to train at Gymnastics Unlimited

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Contributed by: Tim Whyte on 10/30/2008

Special Olympics Santa Clarita Valley and Gymnastics Unlimited have joined forces to bring rhythmic and artistic gymnastics to the special needs athletes of the Santa Clarita Valley.

The Valencia-based gym will become the Special Olympics training center to prepare athletes to compete in the Special Olympics summer games, to be held in June.

"We're hoping this will allow us to double the size of our gymnastics program," said Laura Mayo, regional director of Special Olympics Southern California Santa Clarita Valley. "And, it will also give us the opportunity to host a regional event, which we were unable to host before."

The local Special Olympics organization currently has 20 of its approximately 500 athletes enrolled in gymnastics. Under the agreement with Gymnastics Unlimited, the athletes will train at the gym from March 5 to June 11, with a rhythmic and artistic gymnastics meet scheduled May 30 at Gymnastics Unlimited's facility in the Rye Canyon Business Park.

"They're going to provide us space, which was our biggest obstacle, but they're also going to help us by providing volunteer coaches," Mayo said. "Our program is free to all of our athletes, so it's great when we can do anything to keep the costs down.''

Special Olympics is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and competition in various Olympic-style sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The organization's goal is to provide the athletes with experiences that help them develop physical fitness while experiencing the joys and camaraderie of participation in athletic activities. Here in the Santa Clarita Valley, there are an estimated 2,500 potential participants.

"We are so honored to be able to give back to the community by helping train these special athletes," said Craig Eichman, who co-owns Gymnastics Unlimited with his wife, Lisa. "The local Special Olympics organization provides valuable programs that build self-esteem among its athletes, and we're excited about the opportunity to help."

Lisa Eichman said efforts are already under way to prepare for the Special Olympics athletes' arrival at the gym. "Between now and March, we will be recruiting volunteer coaches and preparing them to teach the athletes the compulsory routines, which include rope, hoop, ball and ribbon."

Volunteer coaches can be parents who would like to get involved, current gymnastics coaches and youth gymnasts age 13 and over. Individuals interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Gymnastics Unlimited via e-mail: info@gymnasticsultd.com.

Founded in 1977, Gymnastics Unlimited is the valley's oldest continuously operating gym. Its facilities include the gym's new headquarters, a 15,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, air-conditioned gymnastics academy at 28373 Constellation Road, Valencia. In addition to the Constellation Road location, Gymnastics Unlimited operates an exclusive training center on Rye Canyon Road for the gym's competitive girls gymnastics team, the Pikes.

Additional information about Gymnastics Unlimited is available by calling
661-257-2GYM or visiting the gym's website, www.gymnasticsultd.com. Additional information about Special Olympics Southern California is available by visiting the organization's website, www.sosc.org.

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