June 23rd is Olympic Day, and athletes all across the world are taking part. Olympic Day commemorates the beginning of the modern Olympic Games in 1896 and honors athletes from both summer and winter disciplines. Over 160 countries celebrate the annual event with sports-centered contests and activities. Team USA gymnasts, including gold medalists Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman, have been showing their support for the event on social media and their plans to participate in gymnastics-related events that day.



Image via Aly Raisman Twitter

USA Gymnastics is joining in the fun, with Douglas and Olympians Ron Galimore and Suzie McConnell-Serio) hosting a world-record attempt for the most consecutive cartwheels in Pittsburgh, PA. Over 700 gymnasts from 14 local clubs will participate and try to beat the record of 482 set in the Netherlands in 2009.


The USOC will also be sponsoring nationwide events in a variety of sports; you can see a list of these offerings on the Team USA website. In addition, there are three worldwide IOC-sponsored contests for amateur athletes to win prizes such as classic Olympic pins, a T-shirt signed by Usain Bolt, and even a trip to the Olympic headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland! Check out the details on the official Olympic Games Facebook page if you or gymnasts you know are interested in getting involved.