The 2013 U.S. Championships, Aug. 15-18 at the XL Center, and the USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show in Hartford, Conn., will not only showcase the best gymnastics has to offer, but they will also provide the backdrop to celebrating USA Gymnastics’ 50th anniversary. In addition, three gold-medal women’s teams – the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, aka The Fierce Five , and the 2007 World Championships Teams for artistic gymnastics and tumbling – will be inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2013.

“Hartford is the perfect stage for celebrating our first 50 years,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “With the championships and the USA Gymnastics National Congress, our gymnastics community will be in Hartford to mark this occasion and the feats of this accomplished Hall of Fame class.”

Prior to the 2013 class, only four teams, all gold medalists, have been inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame: 1984 U.S. Olympic Men’s Team; 1996 U.S. Olympic Women’s Team; 1999 U.S. Men’s Double Mini-trampoline World Championships Team; and 2003 U.S. Women’s World Championships Team.

Plans for celebrating the 50th anniversary are still being finalized, but the efforts in Hartford are expected to include recognition of the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame inductees, along with current Hall of Fame members from men’s and women’s gymnastics, at the competition; a dedicated website and publication; themed displays at the venue and Congress; and special hospitality opportunities. Signage for the championships will feature champions from the five decades.

“The organization’s first office opened in January 1963 and the first U.S. Gymnastics Championships were held that June,” said Penny. “In Hartford, we will recognize both the milestones of USA Gymnastics and the achievements of its athletes during that time, as well as 50 years of championships.”