Birmingham is a contender to host the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials in 2028.

Gene Hallman, president of Eventive Sports in Birmingham, told AL.com that the city’s bid is one of four currently under consideration. The event would take place over several days in June 2028 ahead of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Hallman said he expects to hear a decision as soon as this summer. Trial locations are decided by the Olypics committee and the sport’s national organization, in this case, USA Gymnastics.

“I feel reasonably optimistic and hopeful that we could win this,” Hallman said.

One of the most popular sports at the Olympic Games, the trials will determine the makeup of men’s and women’s teams who will compete during the 2028 Olympics.

Hallman said he got the idea to bring the trials to Birmingham after the 2022 World Games, when he was able to give the USA gymnastics team a peek at Birmingham’s facilities. After a visit to the 2024 trials in Minneapolis last year, he said he was encouraged by the team to place a bid.

Hallman said he has the support of state and local leaders, as well as other public partners that have pledged to pitch in. The 2022 World Games cost Birmingham $66 million and drew an estimated $165 million to the city – a significant boost, but less revenue than expected.

A city spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. Hallman said he wouldn’t be able to say how much it would cost to host the trials until they work out negotiations with other partners.

In Minneapolis, reports show the 2024 trials generated more than $70 million in economic activity.

Birmingham is likely one of the smaller contenders, but it has a lot of promise, Hallman said.

There are more than 20 million people that live within a three-hour drive of the city, he said. The city also has a long history of supporting big sporting events, including the SEC Championship at Legacy Arena last spring.

The trials bring teams from across the globe to compete in a wide variety of events. Hallman expects to see stars like Jordan Chiles, Stephen Nedoroscik and possibly Auburn’s own Suni Lee make an appearance.

“Alabama and Auburn universities over time have done a terrific job with their programs and really grown the fan base for gymnastics,” he said.

“I would imagine we would sell tickets in virtually every state in the country.”