Chattanoogans will soon get a chance to celebrate hometown gold medalist weightlifter Olivia Reeves.
City officials Friday announced a parade for Reeves on Sept. 3 on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s campus. The Olympian is a senior at UTC.
(READ MORE: UTC students cheer classmate Olivia Reeves as she takes gold in Olympic weightlifting)
Reeves won gold in the women’s 71kg (156 pounds) weightlifting event in Paris and broke an Olympic record for the snatch (one of two moves in the event).
The parade is set to start at 5:45 p.m. at Vine and Lindsay streets and end at Chamberlain Field, where there will be some remarks and special presentations. To watch the parade, officials invite people to line the sides of Vine Street, then walk to the field.
Reeves is also set to receive a key to the city, according to a news release.
“Chattanooga’s Olympians made us proud with the whole world watching, and our community is excited to honor them,” Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said in the release. “It only makes sense to celebrate Olivia’s gold medal and Olympic record with the folks that made her who she is: St. Jude, Notre Dame, UTC and her family.”
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On Aug. 30, Reeves is also set to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Chattanooga Lookouts game.
And on Sept. 1, the Chattanooga Football Club will celebrate Reeves during a home match against Atlanta United at Finley Stadium. Kick-off is at 7 p.m., and the match will be followed by fireworks.
— Compiled by Ellen Gerst