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Washington University hosted a ceremony June 16 recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 1904 Olympics at the University and the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. During the event, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton presided over 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. Everywhere one looked, one saw Olympians, including three-time Olympian and two-time world cross country champion Craig Virgin (10,000 meters); 1988 bronze medalist and five-time national champion Wendy Williams (platform diving); 1996 gold medalist and eight-time world champion Jill Savery (synchronized swimming); and five-time gold medalist Bonnie Blair (speed skating). All were on hand to prepare for the torch relay through St. Louis on June 17 and to help Washington University rededicate Francis Field. At the rededication, University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton was 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 director of athletics; Robert Marbut, chair of the U.S. Olympic Committee's National Governing Bodies' Council; and Virgin and Williams. Virgin and Savery also addressed more than 250 participants in the University's summer sports clinics. The Olympians talked about the importance of having dreams and the persistence to make those dreams come true. Following the rededication ceremony, approximately 120 torchbearers, including Savery and Blair, participated in a quick training session and picked up their gear for today's Olympic Global Torch Relay through St. Louis. Click here to see pictures from the rededication. |
