Europeans Hannah Whelan, Sam Hunter and Cyril Tommasone will be coming stateside for the 2011 American Cup March 5 in Jacksonville, Fla., USA Gymnastics announced today.
Hunter, of Great Britain, and France's Tommasone were first and second, respectively, in the all-around at the 2010 European Championships, though a formal all-around competition was not held.
Whelan, who competed at the 2008 Olympicas and who won the British Championships in 2009, is a key member of the strong British women's team.
A celebration of the 15th anniversary of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team is also planned, with Jacksonville resident Shannon Miller being joined by teammates Kerri Strug, Dominique Moceanu, Amanda Borden, Jaycie Phelps and Amy Chow.
2010 World champion Aliya Mustafina remains committed to the competition, as do Philipp Boy and Jonathan Horton, who were second and third all-around in Rotterdam. They will be joined by one of the strongest fields ever to compete at the American Cup, an FIG World Cup event this year.
Whelan, whose movements are much like her countrywoman Beth Tweddle's, is replacing China's Jiang Yuyuan, who finished second all-around at the World Championships. Hunter, the current British Champion, and Tommasone, whose specialty is pommel horse, are taking spots vacated by World champion Kohei Uchimura and Lu Bo of China.
Related: Want to meet Miller and other Olympians in Jacksonville? Shannon Miller Lifestyle VIP packages are available. Packages include VIP seats, pre-event hospitality, an autographed poster, and the opportunity to hobnob with Miller and other Olympians, according to USA Gymnastics. Packages are available for purchase at Shannon Miller Lifestyle.
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