Not too long ago, I was glued to the television screen, as were millions of Americans, watching the intense, fiercely competitive action of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. One of the highlights of the Olympic Games was watching the American Gymnastics team take second and Shawn Johnson (Figure 1) and Nastia Liukin receiving additional gold and silver medals in the individual events. Fortunately, we do not have to wait another four years when the Olympics come around to see Shawn and Nastia again.

On September 21, 2008, Shawn and Nastia will be visiting the HP Pavilion in San Jose during one of their stops for the World Tour of Gymnastics Superstars. The Tour begins on September 18, 2008 and ends on November 16, 2008. It will also showcase other great talents such as Paul Hamm (who unfortunately had to withdraw from this year’s Olympic Games due to an aggravated hand injury and an additional shoulder injury), Morgan Hamm, Paul’s twin brother, Alexander Artemev, Jonathan Horton, Raj Bhavsar, and others. Alexander Artemev was an alternate, along with Raj Bhavsar, who filled in for the Hamm brothers. Together, with Jonathan Horton, the American team took second in the team event. In addition, Horton earned a silver medal on the high bar. The athletes will be performing on the balance beam, the uneven bars and the floor, much like that in the Olympics.

Ticket prices will range anywhere from $30 to $90, depending on the seat location and distance from the arena. Ortega Foods is offering a promotion right now that if you spend fifteen dollars on Ortega products you can get two free tickets to the World Tour of Gymnastics Superstars. All that you need to do is print a voucher from online and bring that voucher and your receipt to the hosting center at least twenty four hours before the show and you will get two free tickets. Also, Ortega is running a contest in which the winner will get to meet Shawn Johnson after the show. You can visit www.ortega.com for more information regarding these offers. So, do not just settle for watching all of these stars on television when you can come see them in person. Come support these gymnasts and enjoy yourselves.