Memmel is one of 10 finalists for 2006 Sportswoman of the Year

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Aug. 23, 2006 – 2005 all-around world champion Chellsie Memmel of West Allis, Wis., is one of 10 finalists for the Women’s Sports Foundation’s 2006 Sportswoman of the Year (individual). Voting is conducted online at the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Web site and must be cast by Aug. 31, 2006. The award recipient will be announced on Monday, Oct. 16, 2006, and honored at the Annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards Dinner at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City.

“We are thrilled that Chellsie is one of the finalists for the Women’s Sports Foundation’s 2006 Sportswoman of the Year,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “Winning the world all-around title is an incredible achievement, especially when you realize she is the first U.S. woman to do so since 1994. No one is more worthy of this recognition than Chellsie.”

To vote, go to www.sportswomanvote.com. Recognition is for accomplishments from Aug. 1, 2005, through July 31, 2006. A total of 56 nominations were submitted. The other individual finalists are: Cindy Klassen, speedskating; Janica Kostelic, downhill skiing; Jessica Long, swimming; Amelie Mauresmo, tennis; Sanya Richards, track and field; Annika Sorenstam, golf; Laurie Stephens, downhill skiing; Hannah Teter, snowboarding; and Melanie Troxel, auto racing. An award is also given for team of the year.

Memmel became the first U.S. woman since 1994 to win the women’s world all-around title, the sport’s most prestigious title behind the Olympic crown. In addition to the world all-around title, she finished second on both the balance beam and the uneven bars at the 2005 World Championships. In October 2005, Memmel won three gold medals (all-around, uneven bars and balance beam) at the Pan Am Championships, as well as anchored the U.S. Team that won the medal. At the 2006 Pacific Alliance Championships in Honolulu, Hawaii, in April, Memmel tied for first in the all-around and won the balance beam, as well as finished second in the floor exercise. Memmel’s efforts also contributed to the U.S. Team’s winning the title.

Erin Popovich and Cat Osterman were recognized in 2005. Past recipients include Sue Bird, Bonnie Blair, Natalie Coughlin, Chris Evert, Mia Hamm, Sarah Hughes, Juli Inkster, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Michelle Kwan, Lisa Leslie, Martina Navratilova, Sheryl Swoopes and Serena and Venus Williams