MHG Jack Campbell represent the USA at World Games

Mini-Hops Gymnastics is proud to announce that a member of its Special Olympics Gymnastics Team, Jack Campbell, will be one of only three male gymnasts to represent the United States at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, California, held from July 26 to August 2, 2015. Special Olympics is the well-known world-wide organization founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to provide year-round Olympic-style competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities. This year’s World Games will bring together over 7,000 athletes from 177 countries to the largest sporting event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympics.

Minnesota’s own Jack Campbell will be there! He didn’t walk until he was two. By age 4, he adeptly navigated the playground monkey bars. By five, he was easily riding his bike. This all foreshadowed his exceptional athletic abilities in multiple sports: bowling, golf, basketball and – his favorite ­­- gymnastics.

Jack, now 22, joined the Mini-Hops Special Olympics gymnastics team when he was 7. Too young then to qualify for competition under the rules, he patiently waited until he was 8 to compete in the Minnesota Regional and State Games. He has never missed one game in the 15 years since then! He has garnered many awards, including a slew of gold at the recent 2015 State Games where he again placed first in all-around competition in his division.

From the moment tiny 8 year-old Jack first stepped to the podium to accept his State Games competition awards up until now, Jack has been a proud representative of his sport and a great leader of his team. He credits his Mini-Hops coaches for their terrific instruction and encouragement and is glad to be at a gym that encourages every athlete to aspire to a personal best. With coaching guidance, he is working right now to polish his amazing Level Two routines for the World Games. He excels in all men’s events: floor, high bar, parallel bar, pommel horse, still rings and vault. He particularly shines in still rings which call for exceptional upper body strength and grace, just like those monkey bars!

Jack is working to bring home his very best for his gym, his teammates, Minnesota, and his country! Wish him luck!

More information on the World Games can be found at www.la2015.org.