Gilbert gym gives Olympic sendoff to hometown gymnast Naddour

[Michelle Reese/Tribune]

Alex Naddour

Paityn Gaines, 3, gets her photo take with Gilbert gymnast Alex Naddour. Naddour, an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics team, leaves Thursday for London with his dad-coach Mike Naddour. USA Youth Fitness Center, where Naddour trains, put on a send-off for the pair Tuesday night. More than 300 people attended the event. The Olympic men’s qualifying events begin July 28, with the women’s qualifying events starting July 29.

Alex Naddour

Fans, family and friends gathered Tuesday night to celebrate U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center. The festivities included cake, balloons and photos with Alex, an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics team. Alex leaves Thursday for London with his dad-coach, Mike Naddour. USA Youth Fitness Center, where Naddour trains, is operated by his family. More than 300 people attended the event. The Olympic men’s qualifying events begin July 28, with the women’s qualifying events starting July 29.

Alex Naddour

Friends and family take photos of Alex Naddour, center in white, during an event Tuesday night for the U.S. gymnast at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center. Naddour, whose family operates the gym, leaves Thursday with his coach and dad, Mike, for the Olympics in London. Naddour is an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics Team. With Alex in the photo from left is his dad, Mike; his stepmom, Sherry; his sister, Bailey; his brother, Justin and his brother, Anthony.

Alex Naddour

Friends and family take photos of Alex Naddour, center in white, during an event Tuesday night for the U.S. gymnast at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center. Naddour, whose family operates the gym, leaves Thursday with his coach and dad, Mike, for the Olympics in London. Naddour is an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics Team. With Alex in the photo is his brother, Anthony; his girlfriend, world champion gymnast Hollie Vise, and his mom, Sandy Ray-Burnett.

Alex Naddour

Fans, friends and family gathered Tuesday night at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center to give well-wishes to U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour. Naddour, whose family operates the gym, leaves Thursday with his coach and dad, Mike, for the Olympics in London. Naddour is an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics Team.

Alex Naddour

Natalie Briones, 9; Arisa Shimpuku, 8; and Skylen Keres, 8, take part in a send off Tuesday night for U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center. Naddour, whose family operates the gym, leaves Thursday with his coach and dad, Mike, for the Olympics in London. Naddour is an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics Team.

Alex Naddour

Natalie Briones, 9; Arisa Shimpuku, 8; and Skylen Keres, 8, take part in a send off Tuesday night for U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour at Gilbert’s USA Youth Fitness Center. Naddour, whose family operates the gym, leaves Thursday with his coach and dad, Mike, for the Olympics in London. Naddour is an alternate to the U.S. Gymnastics Team.