USA Gymnastics announced the athletes set to compete at the American Cup, to be held March 7 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The women’s field includes the previously announced two-time World Champion Simone Biles of the United States in addition to Mykayla Skinner, who helped the United States to team gold and earned a bronze medal on vault at the 2014 World Championships. International guests include Emily Little of Australia, Ellie Black of Canada, Claudia Fragapane and Ruby Harrold of Great Britain, Erika Fasana and Vanessa Ferrari of Italy, and Jessica Lopez of Venezuela.
The men invited to compete include Sam Mikulak and Donnell Whittenburg of the United States, Arthur Oyakawa Mariano of Brazil, Jossimar Calvo of Colombia, Fabian Hambüchen of Germany, Daniel Purvis of Great Britain, Ryohei Kato and Yusuke Tanaka of Japan, and Oleg Verniaiev of Ukraine.
The American Cup is part of the FIG’s World Cup series that also included competitions in Stuttgart and Glasgow at the end of 2014. Of the decision to hold this year’s Cup at AT&T Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys play, USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny said:
“Having just seen the showcase that college football with its first national championships was able to create at AT&T Stadium, I am even more excited about bringing the AT&T American Cup and the world’s best gymnasts to this fantastic arena. These athletes will have an unbelievable experience and a once-in-a lifetime memory.”
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
Article by Lauren Hopkins
The Gymternet 
No Iordache?
However, I think MyKayla deserves this spot so much, she improved a lot and there’s room for other upgrades 🙂
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I’m surprised about Iordache, as she easily would have won the big prize with her success at Stuttgart and Glasgow! But yes, I’m very happy for Mykayla, who has been working so hard.
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Looks like Lopez will win it now…. which is good since she’s been doing it for a while..
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SKEEEEEEEEEEEEENER!
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Hahaha ❤ BE STILL MY HEART
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that makes nine athletes, isn’t the field usually eight?
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It’s usually eight, but the host country is allowed to send two athletes, so they let nine in the field for that reason. In Stuttgart, there were originally nine on the roster as well (though Ana Maria Ocolisan withdrew).
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No Iordache? She’s the only woman in the world right now who could challenge Biles, I was looking forward to another showdown. Besides the Americans the field is so week. Fragapane should take bronze.
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FIG wants to keep up waiting,,,
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“Besides the Americans the field is so week”? Sarcasm? I think Ferrari and Black and Lopez would be ahead of Fragapane. There could be some place shuffling but not very confident Fragapne would get bronze at this point.
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Do you know why Kyla isn’t competing?
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USAG posted on FB (in a comment on the roster announcement) that “Kyla declined her invitation to the AT&T American Cup because she felt it was in her best interest as she prepares for the 2015 competitive season.”
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Yeah, I also would’ve loved to see Larisa. So what happened to Kyla… wasn’t there a rumor a few weeks ago that it was going to be Simone and Kyla? I know the roster for this always changes like a dozen times but why isn’t Kyla competing?
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Kyla was invited but declined so the invite went to Skinner. A lot of the top athletes do decline b/c it’s so early in the season and doesn’t fit in their training plan. Especially for a more seasoned athlete like Kyla who was injured during worlds – it makes sense for her. It also doesn’t mean that these athletes are the top US athletes (clearly Simone is, but just in general). Brennan Dowell competed last year at the American Cup and didn’t make the worlds team. It’s certainly an honor, but it doesn’t mean everything.
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Gymnastike is featuring an interview with her right now. She says she turned it down because she’s in the gym focusing on upgrades – getting her start value up- before the main competition season really begins. Can’t wait!
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I’m confused, judging the results of worlds, how did Australia get invited? T
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If you got enough people/federation declining invites. She probably got the very last invite.
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ACTUAL DISNEY PRINCESS MYKAYLA SKINNER!
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I was looking forward for Bailie Key to possibly compete
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I can’t waite until bailie goes up against Simone. Her armarar is coming around. Her upgrades are looking good. By nationals bring it on she is the real deal. Her floor has power; with elegance and grace. She has really grown and looks a whole lot less robotic.
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