FREE COMMUNITY EVENT FOR ALL AGES INCLUDES OLYMPIC-THEMED ACTIVITIES, Q&A, AND TRADITION OF WALKING THE 1904 OLYMPIC STADIUM TRACK WITH JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE
Key Takeaways:
- Community-wide event celebrates St. Louis’ Olympic heritage and inspires generations to follow their dreams.
- Region’s greatest Olympic champion, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, headlines appearances of local Olympians and Paralympians.
- Event is free to attend and open to the public, but registration is required.
ST. LOUIS – May 28, 2026 – The St. Louis Sports Commission invites St. Louisans of all ages and corners of the region to join Olympic champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee in its annual celebration of Olympic & Paralympic Day on Friday, June 26. The event reinforces the Olympic spirit, blending sports with culture and education, and provides the opportunity to walk side-by-side with our region’s esteemed Olympians on the track at Francis Olympic Field on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis, site of the 1904 Olympic Games.
The Olympic Day celebration is from 10 a.m. until Noon and festivities include a field day of Olympic-themed activities to try out and a motivational Q&A session with Joyner-Kersee. Following that, area Olympians and Paralympians will lead all attendees around the track at Francis Olympic Field – the oldest modern-day Olympic stadium still in active use.
The event is free to attend, and open to the public – individuals and groups are welcome – but registration is required either in advance or on site. Participants are encouraged to pre-register online at stlsports.org/Olympic-Day. The first 500 participants will receive a commemorative branded water bottle.
“As America’s first Olympic city, we are proud to commemorate Olympic and Paralympic Day in St. Louis with Jackie Joyner-Kersee, our greatest homegrown Olympian and our greatest role model,” said Solomon Alexander, director of the Sports Commission’s affiliated St. Louis Sports Foundation. “This is a wonderful opportunity to inspire our community through the Olympic Movement, which seeks to build a peaceful and better world by educating through sport, and there is no one better to embody those ideals than JJK.”
Created by the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Day commemorates the birth of the modern Olympic Games on June 23, 1894. Olympic Day aims to promote fitness, well-being, culture, and education, while also observing the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, respect, and sportsmanship. The celebration is part of the Sports Commission’s ongoing efforts to positively impact St. Louis through its opportunities as an Olympic city.
Media with questions or interview requests should contact Tim Ryan at tryan@stlsports.org or (314) 406-5791. Media can download Olympic & Paralympic Day photos and digital assets HERE.
