Nebraska will celebrate Olympic Day on June 27.
The state received the designation from the United States Olympic Committee after it was requested by the Nebraska Sports Council.
Carol Frost, a 1968 Olympian in track and field, will take part in the celebration with appearances at several event.
The day will coincide with the final leg of the Cornhusker State Games torch run, which will end at Haymarket Park in Lincoln.
Olympic Day celebrations are held each year in more than 250 U.S. cities and 160 countries worldwide to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games. The celebrations also are part of an international effort to promote fitness and well-being, in addition to Olympic ideals of fair play, perseverance, respect and sportsmanship.
The Cornhusker State Games, through the National Congress of State Games, is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee's multi-sport event council.
Frost, who set an American record for the discus at the ‘68 Olympics in Mexico City, will be part of a number of Olympic Day activities in Lincoln:
• 10 a.m. kids workout at Cooper YMCA.
• 11:45 a.m. healthy lunch meet-and-greet for the public at Hy-Vee on 84th and Holdrege Streets.
• State Games Torch arrival prior to the Lincoln Saltdogs baseball game at 7:05 p.m. at Haymarket Park.
The deadline to register for most sports in the 2011 Cornhusker State Games is June 29. Officials expect more than 12,000 athletes to participate in 60-plus sports in Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding areas from July 15-24. Those interested can find more information or register at CornhuskerStateGames.com or call 402-471-2544.
Frost won the gold medal at the Pan-Am Games in Winnipeg in 1967. She went on to coach the University of Nebraska women's track and field team from 1976-80, winning indoor Big 8 Championships in 1978 and 1979 and an outdoor Big 8 Championship in 1979. She coached high school track & field for 18 years and high school football for 23 years.
She resumed competing in track and field after her coaching career and has won seven medals in the Cornhusker State Games, where in 2010, she shattered a national age-group record in the discus.
Frost is one of at least 53 Nebraskans or athletes/coaches with Nebraska ties who have participated in the Olympics, according to the Nebraska Sports Council. A partial list:
Archery: Vic Wunderle (2000)
Baseball: Brian Duensing (2008), Adam Stern (Canada-2004)
Basketball: Bob Boozer (1960)
Bobsledding: Curtis Tomasevicz (2006, 2010)
Cycling: Amber Parkinson-Neben (2008)
Fencing: Curtis Shears (1932)
Gymnastics: Jim Hartung (1980, 1984), Phil Cahoy (1980), Larry Gerard (1980), Jim Mikus (1984), Scott Johnson (1984, 1988), Wes Sutter (1988), Kevin Davis (1988), Tom Schlesinger (1988), Trent Dimas (1992), Francis Allen (coach 1980, 1992), Peggy Liddick (coach-1992, 1996)
Rowing: Lisa Rhode (1984)
Shooting: Gary Anderson (1964, 1968), John Jackson (1912)
Soccer: Karina LeBlanc (Canada-2008), Brittany Timko (Canada-2008), Amy Walsh (Canada-2008)
Softball: Sheena Lawrick (Canada-2004), Robin Mackin (Canada-2008), Lori Sippel (Canada-1996)
Swimming: Penny Heyns (South Africa-1992), Adam Pine (Australia 2000, 2004), Scott Usher (2004), Therese Alshammer (Sweden-2000, 2004), Mike Bruner (1976)
Tennis: Andy Roddick (2004)
Track & Field: Carol Frost (1968), Charlie Greene (1968), Merlene Ottey (Jamaica-1980, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000), Lloyd Hahn (1924), Dusty Jonas (2008), Priscilla Lopes-Schliep (2008), Ineta Radevica (Latvia-2004), Dmitrijs Milkevics (Latvia-2004), Peter Smith (2008), George Baird (1928)
Trap: Bret Erickson (1992, 1996, 2004)
Volleyball: Lori Endicott (1992, 1996), Allison Weston (2000), Nancy Metcalf (2004)
Wrestling: Rulon Gardner (2000, 2004), Brad Vering (2004, 2008), Terry Brands (1996), Tom Brands (2000), Matt Lindland (2000), Dan Brand (1960, 1964), Jim Scherr (1988), Bill Scherr (1988)
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