July 27, 2009

Honolulu — Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Co-Chair of Olympic Task Force, hosted a weeklong celebration in honor of Olympic Day. 10,000 people at 63 parks in Oahu participated in a Summer Fun program with an emphasis on Olympic Values and introductions to Olympic Sports. The Olympic Day celebration was highlighted by a fun run/walk and celebration at Les Murakami Stadium, University of Hawaii, which consisted of live entertainment and the showing of the movie “Miracle” and a tribute to local Olympians. Olympians Misty May-Treanor (Volleyball-Beach 2000, 2004 and 2008) and 2008 Gymnasts Samantha Peszek and Bridget Sloan were the guests of honor.

Chicago — More than 30,000 people participated in fun runs geared towards youth at 255 parks around the city. That evening 20,000 people attended an Olympic Day celebration at North Avenue beach that featured sport exhibitions by Olympians and Paralympians, live music and 3k fun runs.

Colorado Springs (CO) — Colorado Springs is home to 26 National Governing Bodies, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and one of three Olympic Training Centers where Olympic and Paralympic Athletes train year round. On June 23, the United States Olympic Committee partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of the Pike Peak Region to celebrate Olympic Day. Olympian Karen Paglut, Paralmypian Myles Porter and USOC Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Streeter visited the Boys and Girls Club, discussed Olympic values and introduced children to the sport of volleyball. That same evening, the USOC hosted a reception with 1984 Olympians, George DiCarlo, Edwin Moses and Theresa Edwards in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Charleston (SC) — In Charleston, 850 campers at 13 parks around Charleston and the Charleston Air Force Base held Olympic Day celebrations, which included field day events and discussions on the value of sportsmanship and fair play allowing them to be a part of a team and feel the spirit of competition. Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. read the proclamation announcing June 23 as Olympic Day in the city and Olympian Kate Borg met with campers to discuss her experience and the virtues of good sportsmanship.

Philadelphia — U.S. Rowing and Philadelphia celebrated Olympic Day at the Vesper Boat Club John B. Kelly, Jr. Memorial Boathouse. Nine Olympians and Paralympians (Caryn Davies, Anna Goodale, Lindsay Shoop, Susan Francia, of the 2008 women's eight and Dan Walsh, 2008 men's eight, David Banks, 2008 men's four, Dan Beery and Pete Cipollone, 2004 men's eight, Scott Brown, 2008 Paralympic mixed double) were present along with Mayor Michael Nutter to celebrate the day. Nutter proclaimed June 23 as Olympic Day and athletes shared their Beijing experiences.

Pembroke Pines (FL) — Mayor Frank C. Ortis and six-time World Champion and three-time Olympic Figure Skater Todd Eldredge joined more than 300 Pembroke Pines summer campers, ages 6-15, in a Go USA Rally to celebrate Olympic Day on June 23. To commemorate the day, campers wore red, white and blue and participated in an Olympic Values discussion and competed in relay races.

Miami — Mayor Manny Diaz, Olympians Gary Hall Sr., Gary Hall Jr. and Tiffany Cohen spoke with nearly 100 children on the importance of perseverance, respect and a healthy lifestyle at Shenandoah Park in Miami.

Los Angeles — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, IOC Member Anita DeFrantz, Los Angeles Sports Council President, David Simon and Olympian Reynaldo Brown celebrated Olympic Day June 23 on the steps of city hall as children from around Los Angeles listened. Los Angeles' “Ready, Set, Goal!” program with Olympians in the local schools makes every day Olympic Day. Recognizing Olympic Day at city hall reinforces the concept that there are rewards for learning. Further they have learned that their work is important to the worldwide Olympic Movement.

Green Bay (WI) — Mayor James Schmitt and Olympian Ann Swisshelm celebrated Olympic Day and Kids Day in Green Bay with a lunch at Lambeau Field followed by a day of activities, and a visit to the Boys and Girls Club of Green Bay.

Dallas — US Fencing conducted a free fencing clinic June 21 for youth in conjunction with the FIE World Cup competition in Dallas. In addition to learning fencing skills, Men's Team Sabre Silver Medalists Tim Morehouse, Jason Rogers, and James Williams started off the afternoon with a presentation about fencing and what it takes to achieve your dreams. Their message was that it's most important to set big goals, work hard, be yourself, and never give up when faced with challenges. After the clinic children attended the World Cup Competition.

USA Gymnastics celebrated Olympic Day at Olympic Champion Nastia Liukin's home training gym. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert declared June 23 Olympic Day and awarded Nastia with her USOC Female Athlete of the Year Award.

Pasadena (CA) — Mayor Bill Bogaard joined five-time Olympic medalist John Naber at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center to discuss Olympic Values with aspiring young swimmers. “I was surprised at how eager everyone was to join me and other Olympians across the country to celebrate Olympic Day on June 23. The local swim team jumped at the chance to hear a couple of Olympians talk about the Olympic ideals of discipline, tenacity and sportsmanship. The city's mayor was more than accommodating in getting a proclamation passed honoring the day. As much as I enjoyed bringing attention to the Olympic Movement, it seemed that my community enjoyed it even more!” said John Naber, 1968, 1972 & 1976, Olympian, Swimming and Immediate Past President, US Olympians Association.

Washington (DC) — Mayor Adrian Fenty and several Olympic Triathletes kicked off summer camp at the ACHIEVE Triathlon Kids Clinic. The athletes were in Washington to compete at the International Triathlon Union World Championships later that week. At Olympian Nathaniel Mills' Inner City Excellence Camp, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Olympians Nathaniel Mills and Dominique Dawes engaged children in a discussion on Olympism.

Oklahoma City — Over 250 children joined Gymnastics Olympians Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci, Olympic Coach Shaun Caven and Mayor Mick Cornett in a celebration of Olympic Day June 17 at the Oklahoma City Boathouse. Children had the opportunity to participate in canoe/kayak, gymnastics, rowing, archery, sitting volleyball and triathlon as well as watch Under 23 Rowing athletes practice.