28. März 2005  
Pottsville, Pennsylvania / USA  
Artistic Gymnastics

PREVIEW: FRIENDSHIP CLASSIC 2005

Several top gymnasts are heading to the USA to compete in the 7th annual Friendship Classic in Pottsville, Pennsylvania USA.
The Friendship Classic is hosted by the Pottsville Gymnastic Training Center- under the direction of Sandy Kost-Sterner and Barbara Kost-Lonergan. This club-run competition, has showcased over 21 different countries in the past and has grown to be the largest international invitational in the United States.
Olympic all around bronze medalist Zhang Nan of China tops the field of outstanding gymnasts from nine countries. She will be joined by China junior national champion Han Bing who also recently won the Asian junior games.

World Cup gold medalist and Olympian Suzanne Harmes along with Loes Linders and Verona van de Leur will be the Dutch's representatives.
Britnee Habbib of Canada- a frequent gymnast on the Europeabn scene- is making her second trip to the Friendship Classic. Among her coaches is 1980 Olympic all around champion Elena Davydova.
Additional countries taking part include Russia, Ukraine, South Africa, Hungary, Lithuania and Columbia.