Run With Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee

The Olympic Day tradition in St. Louis continues.  On Friday, June 21, St. Louis will mark the worldwide celebration of Olympic Day with an event unique to America’s first Olympic city.  Participants of all ages, especially young people, are invited to join six-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee and other area Olympians to run or walk the track at Washington University’s Francis Field, one of the sites of the 1904 Olympic Games.  The Olympic Day celebration runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and is organized by the St. Louis Sports Commission.  

Open to the public, festivities will include a motivational assembly and Q&A session with Joyner-Kersee and Paralympic sled hockey three-time gold medalist Josh Pauls.  Following the session inside Washington University’s Sumers Recreation Center, Joyner-Kersee, Pauls and the Olympians in attendance will lead all attendees around the track at Francis Field – the oldest modern-day Olympic stadium still in active use.  

The event is free and open to all ages, but pre-registration is required.  Participants must register by June 18 by visiting stlsports.org/OlympicDay.  Olympic Day t-shirts will be provided to those ages 16 and under.  

Created by the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Day commemorates the birth of the modern Olympic Games on June 23, 1894.  (St. Louis’ celebration will take place on June 21.)  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 in St. Louis is part of the Sports Commission’s ongoing efforts to raise the profile and impact of St. Louis’ status as an Olympic city.

Solomon Alexander, director of the Sports Commission’s St. Louis Sports Foundation, said, “We are proud to carry the torch on this unique tradition in St. Louis.  It’s quite special to be able to commemorate Olympic Day with the likes of Jackie, Josh and other local Olympians – and have our celebration take place at the very site of the 1904 Olympic stadium.  This is a fabulous opportunity to involve and inspire young people in our region as we celebrate the Olympic spirit and St. Louis’ place in the Olympic Movement.”

To learn more about the event, visit stlsports.org/OlympicDay or call 314-345-5130.