Gymnasts of all ages will soon be flipping and flying across the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex at North America’s only internationally sanctioned men’s artistic gymnastics competition.

The Grizzly Classic starts its three-day competition on March 20 in Priddis, Alta., a small hamlet on the outskirts of Calgary. Teams from Canada, the USA, and Mexico will represent their countries, with more than 400 athletes aged 6 to 23.

A coalition of parents created the classic after the University of Calgary shut down the International Gymnastics Classic during the pandemic, leaving a hole in the competition circuit. 

Chris Pettigrew, the classic’s director, was one of those parents, and he knew his son and fellow male gymnasts would suffer the most. 

“We needed something here in Calgary, primarily because competitions for men’s gymnastics are few and far between,” he said. 

“It’s seriously the minority of gymnastics when you compare it to women’s.”

What followed was a grassroots effort driven entirely by volunteers, who are mostly parents with no gymnastics background. The first classic was held in 2023, with around 200 Alberta-only athletes. Four years later, the classic has doubled its roster and is FIG-sanctioned, which is the same governing body that presides over the Olympics. It allows for athletes from across the globe to compete and gives the classic a wider audience.

But for Pettigrew, that designation is about more than prestige. 

“We get to showcase our city, our kids get to see world-class gymnastics in their backyard,” he said.

“And hopefully, be inspired.”

This year’s competition marks a significant step forward with its move to the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex, after hosting the classic in Airdrie the last three years. The larger venue allows for two fields of play, allowing multiple events to run at once. It also allows the classic to feature tumbling and trampoline events for the first time, alongside traditional men’s disciplines. 

“I call it a three-and-a-half ring circus, but in a good way,” Pettigrew said.

It’s about more than competition

The expansion also reflects a broader goal to make the Grizzly Classic more than just a competition. Organizers have incorporated elements like on-site massages from the Alberta College of Massage and clinics focused on nutrition and recovery, offerings not typically found at local meets.

Natascha Wallner, the vice president and communications manager, said those additions are part of growing the sport for younger generations. 

“What we want to do is build a community for the little kids,” she said.

“To build those bonds at a young age, because that’s how they get motivated.”

In her three years with the classic, Wallner has seen that growth firsthand. Every year, more athletes show up, and this year, a club from New Brunswick even made its own custom hoodies with the grizzly logo, specifically for the meet. 

These small moments are what the classic is all about for Wallner.

“You know you’re on the right path when people are coming and showing up like this,” she said. 

With a multi-year agreement now in place at Seven Chiefs, organizers are already looking ahead. Pettigrew said the long-term goal is to attract more international teams and grow their presence in the sport. 

“We strive to be either the gold standard or the pinnacle event that people want to come to,” he said.

“Not just have to come to, but they want to come to.”