Olympic Torch Route Longer, More Diverse This Time

On Thursday, June 17th, 2004, the Olympic Torch visits St. Louis.

In 2002, the Olympic Torch came through St. Louis on its way to the Winter Games in Salt Lake City. The Torch Relay Route then did not reach North St. Louis City.

The 2004 Olympic Torch Relay global route is noteworthy because - for the first time - it will pass through Africa and South America, thus visiting all five of the continents symbolized by the Olympic logo. Australia also gets a visit, since it has hosted the Summer Games twice. Likewise, all cities that have hosted the Summer Games are included, in commemoration of the return of the Olympics to Athens, Greece.

In St. Louis, the Olympic Torch will pass through or next to dozens of city neighborhoods and suburban communities, traveling from the Arch to Art Hill in Forest Park:

1. Downtown


2. Downtown West


3. Lafayette Square


4. King Louis Square


5. LaSalle Park


6. Soulard


7. Benton Park


8. Benton Park West


9. Tower Grove East


10. Gravois Park (just barely, at an edge)


11. Tower Grove South


12. Shaw


13. Compton Heights


14. Tiffany


15. The Gate District


16. Midtown (with a stop at St. Louis University)


17. Grand Center


18. JeffVanderLou


19. Fairgrounds (just at a corner)


20. The Greater Ville


21. O'Fallon


22. Penrose


23. Kingsway East


24. Mark Twain/I-70 Industrial (also, just at a corner)


25. Kingsway West


26. Fountain Park


27. Academy


28. Central West End (with a stop at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church)


29. Forest Park Southeast


30. Kings Oak


31. The Hill


32. Southwest Garden


33. Clifton Heights


34. Lindenwood Park


35. Ellendale


36. Maplewood


37. Shrewsbury


38. Webster Groves (with a stop at City Hall)


39. Rock Hill


40. Brentwood


41. Richmond Heights


42. Clayton (with a stop at Washington University Francis Field, site of the 1904 Olympic Games, and a stop for both the 1996 and 2002 Olympic Torch Relays)


43. University City


44. West End (just at an edge)


45. Skinker-DeBaliviere


46. Wydown-Skinker (at a corner)

This extensive route should provide great opportunities for St. Louisans from all around to show their support for the Olympic spirit, and celebrate the centennial of the St. Louis games.