Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastic Champions

After the Olympics finish up, basketball players go back to the NBA, tennis players head to the U.S. Open, soccer players head back to various pro leagues, and track stars run for good money in countries where people actually watch track more than once every four years. And gymnastics stars? Even though they’re often the biggest stars of the Olympics, there’s not a National Gymnastics League where they can launch into twists and flips for the Tampa Bay Tumblers or Boston Balancers.

However, it should come as no surprise that in a sport where they have sequins on uniforms, the stars will come back and hit the road for a 40-city Tour of Gymnastic Champions, which the USA Gymnastics website promises will “pair elite gymnastics skill with modern performance art that will push the boundaries of athleticism.”

The gymnasts are referred to as the “cast,” which includes 10 male and female Team USA members who performed in the London Olympics, including all-around gold medalist Gabby Douglas (participants vary from city to city).

You can make fun of the whole “show” format, but wouldn’t it be better if the NFL, MLB and NBA put on “shows” instead of holding all-star games where nobody plays defense and everybody worries about not getting hurt? Wouldn’t you put up big money for an evening where LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Derrick Favors (yeah, I said it) and others put on a “show,” complete with music, lighting and performance art? Apply that mascara, fellas, and get ready to perform! (Geoff Griffin)