The event is a natural for Supergirl, said Barry Ziehl, senior vice-president for Warner Bros, who own DC Comics.

The brand is designed to encourage young girls to be strong, confident and healthy, and sports is an ideal way to do that, Ziehl claimed.

Supergirl, who is the cousin of Superman, already sponsors the Supergirl Jam, an action sports event just for girls.

Ziehl said: "It's incredible for girls of today that they can look at athletes like Nastia and these action-sports athletes and be empowered, be inspired, both on the field and off the field of play."

Liukin, who won five medals at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 - a gold, three silver and a bronze - has scheduled the event for March 5 at the DCU Center in Worcester in conjunction with the elite American Cup and it will be shown on Universal Sports.

Liukin said: "Who knows if this will be their last experience with gymnastics.

"Or it could be a great first step to the rest of their careers.

"For these 36 girls that are out there, I just hope they're so excited and thankful for the things they've already accomplished.

"Even if they never make that leap [to elite gymnastics], to know they competed this one year and got that experience and got to be on that stage it's a huge spotlight."

Liukin (pictured), 20, is currently considering whether to continue her career until the London 2012 Olympics following an extended break since Beijing.

She said: "I needed the time off.

"There was no way I'd be able to compete through four years.

"I need to get myself in the position to where I can be ready to compete.

"As of right now, it's so hard to say, 'OK, I'm 100 per cent committed to 2011 and 2012."'


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