Pole vaulting, boxing, and wheelchair basketball aren’t everyday activities that you see outside in downtown Washington, D.C., but that’s what spectators got to experience during Olympic Day DC, which took place at CityCenterDC on June 24. The free event was held in celebration of the 2016 Summer Olympics, aiming to bring interactive athletic experiences to the public.
The outdoor event, which was planned by Events DC, offered demonstrations of various Olympic sports as well as clinics for children. About 200 people attended, with many participants receiving faux Olympic medals as souvenirs. It was one of more than 2,000 Olympic Day events that took place throughout the United States during the month of June.
“We were able to rally folks around the idea of giving folks access to spectate Olympic sports,” said Erik A. Moses, senior vice president and managing director of Events DC sports, entertainment, and special events. “They were just really amazed to be that close to pole vaulters jumping from some pretty significant and impressive heights. It was a cool thing to see up close and personal.”
The day was also symbolic of the city’s passion for the Olympic Games. In 2014, the U.S. Olympic Committee denied Washington’s bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, but officials haven’t ruled out a future bid.
“I think it goes to show that our embracing of the Olympic spirit didn’t end with our bid [to host] the 2024 Olympics,” Moses said. “We’re a city that’s very active and loves our sports. We’ll continue to be a good location for bringing the Olympics in the future.”
Events DC primarily used social media and advertising on digital media to promote the event. Moses says that CityCenterDC’s mix of residential units and businesses, and its proximity to museums, parks, and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, made it an ideal location for the event.
Participating sponsors and athletes at Olympic Day DC included DC Vault, Reebok, Gonzaga College High School head wrestling coach Milton Yates, the National Capital Fencing Club, former Olympic weightlifter Cara Heads Slaughter, professional boxer Mike "Yes Indeed" Reed, former Olympic triple jump record holder Willie Banks, and the MedStar NRH Punishers wheelchair basketball team. Many of the athletes are natives to the Washington metropolitan area.