Photos: Novi Celebrates Olympic Day with Olympians, Hometown Games

In celebration of worldwide Olympic Day, Novi held its own first Olympic Day on June 23 at . The event, hosted by the Novi Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, had a successful turnout, and the city plans to continue hosting an Olympic Day celebration in years to come.

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world celebrate Olympic Day annually to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games and to promote fitness, well-being and the Olympic ideals of respect, perseverance and sportsmanship.

Novi native and former Olympic rower Kate MacKenzie spoke to attendees at the  event about dedication and fair play. MacKenzie participated in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, as a member of the U.S. rowing team and is an alumna of the University of Michigan.

Former Olympic figure skater Aaron Parchem also spoke at the event. Parchem competed at Torino, Italy, in the 2006 Winter Olympics in the pairs figure skating event. He was the first African-American male to represent the U.S. in Olympic figure skating.

Both athletes generously shared their stories and time with local children, encouraging them to dedicate themselves to the goals that mean the most to them.

MacKenzie and Parchem also took time to speak personally with many of the children and autographed Olympic certificates that attendees earned through participation in the day's games. With the help of local businesses and the Olympians, children participated in swordplay, "discus" throwing, tennis and hockey.

The event, originally planned to take place on the school's track, was moved out of the rain to the gymnasium by members of the Novi Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, led by event organizer Emily Stevens.

To commemorate the event, MacKenzie and Parchem presented a U.S. Olympic Committee flag to the city of Novi and Mayor Pro Tem Bob Gatt.