Gymnastics Hall of Fame Induction; GMR Appointment

Li Yuejiu, Klaus Köste, Natalia Yurchenko, Jackie Fie, and Gordon Maddux were inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame Saturday.

Li won the first world championship for China in 1981 with his championship in the floor exercise. Köste was a three-time Olympian and a gold medalist in 1972 in the high bar.

Yurchenko won the world all-around in 1983 and is known for pioneering the round off, back handspring on the vault. Fie was an Olympian in 1956, but is best known for her role in the Women's Technical Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation.

Maddux was a commentator for ABC’s Wide World of Sports and won the Frank Bare Award for his broadcasting work.

"I had great moments and hard times, but I would never give up that journey. It was love from first sight. All the gymnasts know those feelings," Yurchenko said in her induction speech.

"That magic place ... it was just a passion and love for it. Every day when I came to the gym: magic. I am so grateful to my country, my parents, and my coaches that I had that magic in my life."

GMR Marketing Appointment

Philip Patterson has been hired as senior vice president of client management for GMR Marketing.

"Philip’s extensive experience with major worldwide sporting events, especially in the areas of sponsorship, makes him a strategic addition to the GMR team," said Tyson Webber, GMR executive vice president of client management told Around the Rings.

Patterson had previously worked with Coca-Cola on their Olympic Games sponsorship programs.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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