[Michelle Reese/Tribune]
Alex Naddour
Paityn Gaines, 3, gets her photo take with Gilbert gymnast Alex Naddour. Naddour, an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics team, leaves Thursday for London with his dad-coach Mike Naddour. USA Youth Fitness Center, where Naddour trains, put on a send-off for the pair Tuesday night. More than 300 people attended the event. The Olympic men’s qualifying events begin July 28, with the women’s qualifying events starting July 29.
Alex Naddour
Fans, family and friends gathered Tuesday night to celebrate U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center. The festivities included cake, balloons and photos with Alex, an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics team. Alex leaves Thursday for London with his dad-coach, Mike Naddour. USA Youth Fitness Center, where Naddour trains, is operated by his family. More than 300 people attended the event. The Olympic men’s qualifying events begin July 28, with the women’s qualifying events starting July 29.
Alex Naddour
Friends and family take photos of Alex Naddour, center in white, during an event Tuesday night for the U.S. gymnast at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center. Naddour, whose family operates the gym, leaves Thursday with his coach and dad, Mike, for the Olympics in London. Naddour is an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics Team. With Alex in the photo from left is his dad, Mike; his stepmom, Sherry; his sister, Bailey; his brother, Justin and his brother, Anthony.
Alex Naddour
Friends and family take photos of Alex Naddour, center in white, during an event Tuesday night for the U.S. gymnast at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center. Naddour, whose family operates the gym, leaves Thursday with his coach and dad, Mike, for the Olympics in London. Naddour is an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics Team. With Alex in the photo is his brother, Anthony; his girlfriend, world champion gymnast Hollie Vise, and his mom, Sandy Ray-Burnett.
Alex Naddour
Fans, friends and family gathered Tuesday night at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center to give well-wishes to U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour. Naddour, whose family operates the gym, leaves Thursday with his coach and dad, Mike, for the Olympics in London. Naddour is an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics Team.
Alex Naddour
Natalie Briones, 9; Arisa Shimpuku, 8; and Skylen Keres, 8, take part in a send off Tuesday night for U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center. Naddour, whose family operates the gym, leaves Thursday with his coach and dad, Mike, for the Olympics in London. Naddour is an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics Team.
Alex Naddour
Natalie Briones, 9; Arisa Shimpuku, 8; and Skylen Keres, 8, take part in a send off Tuesday night for U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center. Naddour, whose family operates the gym, leaves Thursday with his coach and dad, Mike, for the Olympics in London. Naddour is an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics Team.
Posted: Thursday, July 19, 2012 6:05 am
|
Updated: 6:59 pm, Fri Jul 20, 2012.
Gilbert gym gives Olympic sendoff to hometown gymnast Naddour
By Michelle Reese, Tribune
East Valley Tribune
|
Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center put on an all-American celebration Tuesday night for gymnast Alex Naddour, who leaves for London this week in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.
More than 300 people showed up to cheer on their hometown athlete. Earlier this summer, Naddour was named an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics team. As such, he’s been training this month at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and will be in London should he be needed to replace a team member due to injury.
Naddour trains at the Gilbert facility with his dad, Mike Naddour, who has been his coach for years. The Naddour family operates the gymnastics, cheer and dance center.
While family members served cake, fans lined up for a photo with Alex.
“Alex is still training incredibly hard every day and he’ll continue training hard over there,” said his stepmom, Sherry Naddour.
The men’s gymnastics qualifying competition begins July 28, with the women’s competition beginning the next day.
Other East Valley athletes are making the trip to London, as well. Breeja Larson, who swims in Mesa, will represent the United States. Sarah Robles of Mesa will be on the U.S. weightlifting team.
Several U.S. athletes with ties to Arizona universities are also completing, including University of Arizona senior Georganne Moline of Phoenix, who will compete in the 400 meter hurdles.
Contact writer: (480) 898-6549 or mreese@evtrib.com
Posted in
Local,
Gilbert,
Sports
on
Thursday, July 19, 2012 6:05 am.
Updated: 6:59 pm.
| Tags:
Sports,
London,
Gymnastics,
Alex Naddour,
United States,
Colorado Springs,
Gilbert Gym,
Usa Youth Fitness Center,
The 2012 Olympics,
Hometown Athlete,
United States Olympic Training Center,
2012 Summer Olympics,
Team Member,
Injury,
U.s. Olympic Training Center,
Olympic Training Center,
Colorado,
Olympic,
Coach,
Mike Naddour,
Gilbert Facility,
University Of Arizona,
Sherry Naddour
