Five Days to Go to Olympic Day: Olympians encouraged to get active for Olympic Day in the U.S.

18 | 6 | 2017

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC), supported by the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association, has sent out a call to action to all Olympians based in the U.S. to register for Olympic Day activities and help spread the message to Get Active. All Olympians living, training or competing in the U.S., regardless of whether they have represented Team USA or other National Olympic Committees, are encouraged to take part.

U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association President and Olympic legend Dick Fosbury, said:

“Olympic Day is an excellent opportunity to spread the message of sport for all and inspire people in our communities to be active and maintain healthy lifestyles.

“As role models, Olympians are an important part of this message and we welcome all Olympians who wish to participate and be a part of our Olympic Day celebrations to get in touch.”

There are currently over 2,000 Olympic Day events being hosted in the U.S. this summer. Some of the highlights include:

• Track legend Carl Lewis (Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996) and his CL Athletic Stars Track Club, with support from five fellow Olympians, will host over 100 participants of all ages at the club’s base in Stafford, Texas. The CL Athletic Stars Track Club was established to foster the development of youth track and field and to provide long-term growth opportunities to athletes through their association with the sport.
• USA Fencing will help celebrate Olympic Day at the Fencers Club in New York City, inviting more than 100 youth aged 13-18 from the community to take part in a taster session with Olympic fencers including Nicole Ross (London 2012), Daryl Homer (Fencing, London 2012), Keeth Smart (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008), Erinn Smart (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008) and Jason Pryor (Rio 2016). New York Fencers Club is recognised by the USOC as a Community Olympic Development Programme partner.
• In Birmingham, Alabama, the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association will be supporting the Lakeshore Foundation run the Lakeshore Lima Foxtrot Olympic Day, an event aimed at helping active service men and women as well as veterans use lessons from sport and recreation to pursue an active, healthy lifestyle. The Lima Foxtrot programmes for injured military personnel began as a response to the significant number of men and women returning injured from active service over the past 10 years. Olympians Reita Clanton (Handball, Los Angeles 1984), Willie Smith (Athletics, Los Angeles 1984) and Jennifer Chandler (Diving, Montreal 1976) will help lead activities.

These and hundreds more events will be taking place across the U.S. in the month of June. You can find a full list of all planned Olympic Day activities on the interactive map on the USOC’s dedicated Olympic Day platform here.

If you are based in the U.S., it is not too late to sign-up - simply register online at US Olympic Day 2017. Once registered you will be notified of events within 60 miles of your registered zip code and can select activities to attend that work with your schedule.

Get active this Olympic Day and share your passion, skills and time to promote the power of the Olympic Values in your community.

Image: USOC