New York City Sports Commissioner Kenneth J. Podziba congratulates Harlem resident Wendy Hilliard on her selection to the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. In 1978, Hilliard became the first African American to compete in rhythmic gymnastics for the United States and subsequently coached the US National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team four times. The official induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 22 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, PA.

"Wendy Hilliard's induction into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame is a testament to her lifelong dedication to the sport of gymnastics," said Commissioner Podziba. "In addition to her accomplishments as an athlete, Wendy has introduced gymnastics to 5,000 underprivileged children in New York City since the inception of the Wendy Hilliard Foundation in 1996. I can't think of anyone who deserves this honor more than Wendy."

After joining the Rhythmic Gymnastics National Team in 1978, Hilliard remained on the team for a record-setting nine years, twice serving as National Team captain. She was also a four-time US National Team coach. After becoming the first African-American on the rhythmic gymnastics team, Hilliard later became the first African-American to become the President of the Women's Sports Foundation (1995-97), and also the first gymnast to head the organization.

More recently, Hilliard served as Director of Sports for NYC2012, New York City's bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In her past roles, she has served as the athlete representative for gymnastics to the United States Olympic Committee and has been a member of the Executive Committee of USA Gymnastics for over 10 years.

Adding to her New York ties, Hilliard completed her college degree at New York University and currently resides in Harlem with her husband, Robert Mensah, and her sons, Kennedy and Bailey.

Inducted alongside Hilliard were the 2003 U.S. Women's World Championships Team, Jessica Davis (rhythmic gymnastics), Marie Walther Bilski (women's gymnastics), Wayne Young (men's gymnastics), Stuart Ransom (trampoline), Brent Simmons (horizontal bar), and Mary Lee Tracy (women's gymnastics coach).

For more information on the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame, please visit www2.usa-gymnastics.org/hof/.

The New York City Sports Commission is the mayoral agency charged with attracting, facilitating and promoting professional, amateur and scholastic sports events in New York City. The Sports Commission has played an integral role in creating or developing many new sporting events, including the NFL Kickoff Live from Times Square, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series™ Champions Week, the BMC Software NYC Cycling Championship, the AVP Brooklyn Open, the NAUTICA NYC Triathlon, the NYC Half-Marathon, the Union Square Street Sessions presented by Jeep®, the Wild Onion Urban Adventure Race, and the Men's Health Urbanathlon.