More than 300 girls tumbled their way around the gym and competed in the Central Coast’s largest gymnastics competition at the 25th annual SLO Gym Fest.
The competition was for female junior gymnasts.
Girls as little as four years old competed in four Olympic events, floor, beam, vault and uneven bars. Some of them competing for the first time!
“It’s super cute because they’re pretty much all brand new, and this is their first ever time competing, so you’ll see a lot of really fun new excited little girls,” said Mimi Phene-McKeller, Central Coast Gymnastics Owner.
The event was sanctioned by USA Gymnastics, meaning all the coaches are background checked and have taken a safe sports policy class and test.
Phene-McKeller said the safe sports policy is about keeping the athletes safe from sexual harassment and child abuse.
Gymnasts safety has been under a microscope ever since former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was convicted of sexually assaulting multiple young athletes.
Phene-Mckeller said her gym has been doing background checks for years, even going above and beyond what USA Gymnastics requires.
