3rd annual Meijer State Games begin

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The 3rd annual Meijer State Games of Michigan is now underway.

The event began Friday morning, but opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. at East Kentwood High School. It will include a parade of athletes and a lighting of the caldron.

The Olympic-style event runs from June 22-24 and will reflect the Olympic ideals of sportsmanship, fair play, perseverance and respect among athletes.

More than 5,600 athletes will be competing in more than 30 sports, as the Meijer State Games of Michigan continues to grow.

The state games committee hosted an Olympic Day news conference Friday morning--in attendance were four former Michigan Olympians.

Watch the video above for more on this event.

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On June 22, Olympic Day is celebrated all around the world. Hundreds of thousands of people get moving and participate in sporting and cultural activities. Over the last two decades, the event has helped to spread the Olympic ideals to every corner of the world.

Olympic Day was introduced in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on June 23, 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris. The goal was to promote participation in sport across the globe regardless of age, gender or athletic ability.

For a complete schedule of the Meijer State Games click here .