WHO: Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton will be joined by Charlie A. Dooley, St. Louis county executive; Jeff Rainford, chief of staff for St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay; John Schael, Washington University athletic director; Robert Marbut, chair of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s National Governing Bodies’ Council; and former Olympic athletes Craig Virgin and Wendy Williams.
WHAT: A ceremony recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 1904 Olympics at Washington University and the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. Chancellor Wrighton will host a rededication of Francis Field, the site of the 1904 Olympic track and field events. From Aug. 29 to Sept. 3, 1904, Francis Field and Francis Gymnasium, now registered historical landmarks, were the site of the Olympic Games — the 3rd Olympiad of the modern era and the first held in the Western Hemisphere.
WHERE: Because of inclement weather, the rededication has moved inside to Washington University’s Field House in the Athletic Complex, near the intersection of Big Bend and Forsyth boulevards. From Forsyth, take Olympian Way north, proceed past Francis Field, then turn left (west) to the end of the parking lot.
For those who want to videotape/photograph the historic Francis Field gates or the new commemorative decal on the Francis Field press box, reserved media parking will be available in front of the Francis Field gates along Olympian Way. Reserved media parking is also available on a first-come, first-served basis in front of the Athletic Complex.
WHEN: 5-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2004
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
• Craig Virgin, three-time Olympian and two-time world cross country champion, will speak to Washington University’s summer sports clinic participants (ages 8 to 18) from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Field House in Washington University’s Athletic Complex, adjacent to Francis Field and Gymnasium.
• On a first-come, first-served basis, those attending the rededication ceremony will receive a Washington University Olympic memento created especially for the event.
• Wendy Williams, a native of Bridgeton, Mo., who won the bronze medal in diving at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, will participate in the rededication ceremony.
• The 120 St. Louis torchbearers for the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay on June 17 will participate in a 30-minute training session from 6 to 6:30 p.m. in Francis Gymnasium.
• St. Louis torchbearers, escort runners and guests will attend a special reception from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Field House.
June 16th schedule:
3:30-4:30 p.m. — Craig Virgin speaks to sports clinic participants in the WUSTL Field House.
5-5:30 p.m. — Rededication of Francis Field.
6-6:30 p.m. — Torchbearer training in Francis Gymnasium.
6-8 p.m. — Torchbearer reception in the Field House.
All events are open to the media; interview opportunities with the torchbearers and other participants will be available only during the reception.