A trio of Olympians will serve as the Grand Marshals of the annual Rose Parade, which will be held Jan. 2 in Pasadena, Calif. The list includes four-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Janet Evans, four-time gold medalist diver Greg Louganis and six-time gold medalist runner Allyson Felix.
The trio were chosen as examples of the selected “Echoes of Success” theme, according to Tournament of Roses President Brad Ratliff.
“Having successful athletes with those echoes of success that they have, the theme really fit so well with these three grand marshals,” he said. “Each of them have unique stories to tell, all different, and we really wanted to showcase that. It worked out well. I know the stories that they have will have an impact on many.”
All three are representing the committee bidding to bring the Olympics back to the U.S. and, specifically, Los Angeles in 2014. Louganis competed in the second of his three Olympics in LA in 1984.
Grand Marshals traditionally rise in the parade, which begins at 8 a.m. Pacific time, and then are present for the coin toss at the annual Rose Bowl Game, which begins at 2 p.m. The Rose Bowl festivities are typically held on New Year’s Day, but they move to Jan. 2 whenever New Year’s falls on a Sunday, a tradition dating back to the late 19th century, when organizers did not want to scare horses waiting outside of churches.
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Congrats Janet, always been a fan and always will be ❤️