USA Gymnastics Release

INDIANAPOLIS – Alex Diab was chosen by the World University Games Selection Committee to represent the U.S. at the 2017 World University Games. The competition is scheduled for Aug. 19-23 in Taipei, Taiwan.

"I'm super excited to represent Team USA in the 2017 World University Games," Diab said. "It means so much to me being able to represent the United States in one of the biggest gymnastics competitions in the world. This will be my first time competing internationally, so I'm also really excited for that."

Oklahoma's Levin Anderson, Tristan Duran and Vitali Kan of Minnesota, and Stanford's Robert Neff were also named to the U.S. squad for the 2017 World University Games. The meet will include team, all-around and individual event finals, and will follow a four-up, three-count format for the team competition.

The World University Games are held every other year and are organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The event is a multi-sport competition open to men and women who are between the ages of 17 and 24, and are, or have been within the past year, a student at a college or university. The summer World University Games consist of 10 compulsory sports with 13 compulsory disciplines and up to 3 optional sports chosen by the host country.

A 2017 All-American, Diab won his second-straight Big Ten event title on still rings at the 2017 Big Ten Men's Gymnastics Championships. The Glen Ellyn, Illinois, native finished second in the Big Ten on floor, and competed on vault and high bar for Illinois over the course of the season.

"Alex was amazing all year," said head coach Justin Spring. "He deserves to represent the United States in such a prestigious competition."

Diab joins teammates Tyson Bull (Australia) and Tom Gibbs (United Kingdom) as Illini gymnasts representing their country at the World University Games. Both Bull and Gibbs competed in the 2015 World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea.