St. Louis plans extravaganza for Olympic relay, centennial

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis is planning an Olympic-sized celebration June 17 to culminate the Olympic Torch relay through the region and to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1904 Games at Washington University.

Fireworks, a performance by the St. Louis Symphony and appearances by Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee of East St. Louis, Ill., and five-time gold medal-winning speed skater Bonnie Blair will highlight the gala in Forest Park. Details of the event were announced Thursday.

"I think it's important for every St. Louisan to know that St. Louis is the birthplace of the Olympics in America," said Frank Viverito, president of the St. Louis Sports Commission.

St. Louis is one of just 34 cities around the world -- and just four in the U.S., along with Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York -- to host the Olympic Torch Relay on its way to Athens, Greece.

In St. Louis, the relay begins with a 1 p.m. ceremony at the Gateway Arch. About 125 torchbearers will carry the flame through 34 miles of the region, including a pass by Washington University's Francis Field.

The celebration begins at 7:30 p.m. in Forest Park in anticipation of Joyner-Kersee's arrival with the flame at around 8:45 p.m. She will light the Olympic cauldron at the base of Art Hill.