ST. LOUISANS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANNUAL TRADITION OF RUNNING THE 1904 OLYMPIC STADIUM TRACK WITH HOMEGROWN OLYMPIANS JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE AND DAWN HARPER-NELSON

ST. LOUIS – June 16, 2023 – St. Louis’ traditional Olympic Day celebration provides a once-a-year opportunity to walk side-by-side with our region’s esteemed Olympians, reinforcing the Olympic spirit and blending sports with culture and education. On Friday, June 23, participants of all ages are invited to join Olympic Gold Medalists Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Dawn Harper-Nelson in running or walking 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 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and is organized by the St. Louis Sports Commission.

Olympic Day festivities include a motivational discussion and Q&A session with Joyner-Kersee and Harper-Nelson.  Following that, the Olympians 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, but registration is required.  Participants are encouraged to pre-register by visiting stlsports.org/Olympic-Day.  Olympic Day t-shirts will be provided to those ages 16 and under.

“As America’s first Olympic city, we are proud to commemorate Olympic Day in St. Louis with Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Dawn Harper-Nelson, two of our greatest area Olympians and two of the best role models ever,” said Solomon Alexander, director of the St. Louis Sports Foundation.  “This is a fantastic opportunity to inspire young people through the Olympic Movement, which seeks to build a peaceful and better world by educating through sport.”

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.

With its Olympic Day celebration at Francis Olympic Field, St. Louis is also participating in the inaugural Olympic and Paralympic Cities Day of Peace & Solidarity 2023, which has been created by Olympians and Paralympians seeking to make a difference in the world.