Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center, widely known as Parkettes, is a gymnastics club located in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Parkettes was founded in the early 1960s with a middle school gymnastics program in Allentown that gradually grew into an intramural program and then into a facility that has produced several teams and individual gymnasts representing the United States, the Czech Republic, and Canada in international meets, including the Olympic Games.[1] The program has been led by Bill Strauss and his wife, Donna Strauss, since its inception.

History

20th century

In 1986, three Parkettes' gymnasts placed at the USA Gymnastics National Championships. Jennifer Sey won the competition, Hope Spivey came in second, and Alyssa Solomon came in fourth.

At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Parkettes-trained gymnast Hope Spivey represented the United States.

In 1992, Parkettes' gymnast Kim Kelly was selected for the 1992 Summer Olympics gymnastics training squad.

In 1998 and 1999, Kristen Maloney won the United States National Senior All-Around gold medal. In 2000, she competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where she won the bronze medal.

Kristal Uzelac won the United States Junior National All-Around gold in three consecutive years, in 1999, 2000, and 2001.

21st century

In 2002, Vanessa Meloche, a Canadian gymnast at Parkettes, finished third at the Canadian championships and first on the uneven bars.

In 2022, 11 Parkettes' gymnasts made misconduct complaints to the United States Center for SafeSport that resulted in an ongoing investigation of five Parkettes coaches.[2][3][4]

Media coverage

In 2003, CNN aired a documentary, Achieving the Perfect 10, which contained some criticisms of the demanding and competitive nature of Parkettes's training program. In 2008, Jennifer Sey, the 1986 National Champion from Parkettes, published a book, Chalked Up, which was critical of Parkettes and elite gymnastics.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ "Parkettes Gymnastics Training Center in the Lehigh Valley, PA". www.parkettes.com.
  2. ↑ Peter Hall. "Gym owners, 3 coaches named in SafeSport allegations at elite Pa. gymnastics training center". Times News Online.
  3. ↑ Koltnow, Bo (21 February 2022). "Allentown's Parkettes defending itself against allegations of abuse". WFMZ.com.
  4. ↑ Hall, Peter (20 February 2022). "Parkettes owners and 3 coaches named in SafeSport allegations. Former athletes claim weight-shaming and sexual harassment at elite gymnastics club". Mcall.

40°36′02″N 75°27′49″W / 40.60050°N 75.46361°W / 40.60050; -75.46361

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