Colorado Springs, CO – This week, the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), along with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and clubs around the country are hosting their annual Olympic Day to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games. The annual celebration is an international effort to promote fitness and well-being and lends a hand in introducing young people to sport.

“Being an Olympian is really special,” said gold medalist Lindsey Vonn of Vail, Colo., who realizes the impact the Olympics has on youth. “It’s not just about winning. It’s about competing, giving your best and following your dreams. Olympic moments are the kinds of things that inspire young kids to want to be an athlete. To me the Olympics are the pinnacle of sport and the highest achievement.”

The USOC holds its Olympic Day annually on June 23 and is celebrated by thousands of people in more than 160 countries. From June 17-26, 2011, communities across the United States are celebrating Olympic Day through educational programming and character building activities to better understand what it takes to be an Olympian.

As silver medalist Jeret “Speedy” Peterson said, “Having a silver medal is the coolest things that has ever happened to me. There are always going to be challenges and difficulties but when you look back at the end of it you can say, man that was an amazing ride.”

The USOC will work with the nearly 10,000 Olympians and Paralympians currently living in the United States, with the goal of sending an athlete to each Olympic Day celebration to share their Olympic experiences and how it impacted their lives. As gold medalist Hannah Kearney recalled from her unbelievable moguls run, “Two seconds ago I had not achieved my goal, two seconds later, goal achieved. It’s one moment that changes your life forever.”

Olympic Day is organized by the International Olympic Committee worldwide, with coordination by the USOC. It was started in 1948 as a way to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympics on June 23, 1894 and spread the Olympic ideals to every corner of the world. Olympic Day is a great opportunity to introduce youth to the importance of determination, drive and perseverance – everything an Olympian must embody.

The USSA along with the Utah Olympic Park will host an event on Saturday June 25th at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah, with several Olympians and National Team athletes.