Hartford, Connecticut’s XL Center to host 2024 Core Hydration Classic without men’s division
The U.S. elite gymnastics schedule for 2024 is officially set after USA Gymnastics announced Tuesday that Hartford, Connecticut will host the 2024 Core Hydration Classic and Hopes Championships May 17-18 at the XL Center.
Unlike the past two years, the 2024 edition of the event will only have women’s divisions as the U.S. men’s program will not participate in an effort “to optimize their preparations for the Olympic Trials and Paris Games.”
In 2023, USAG had to switch the men’s divisions to Sunday in a relatively last minute decision because of the volume of entries.
The Core Hydration Classic (formerly the U.S. Classic) is the final tune-up meet for the elite women in the States before the U.S. Championships two weeks later. It also serves as a qualifier for championships.
Since 2024 is an Olympic year, the Classic will hold even more significance, as gymnasts will have to use every opportunity they can get to show why they should make the uber-competitive U.S. team. Ultimately, five women and five men will be selected at Olympic Trials in late June.
Among those likely to compete at the Classic are Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, and Suni Lee. The full field of entrants will be announced in April or early May.