Olympic torch coming to St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- The Olympic flame is coming to St. Louis.

The torch that carries the flame is to weave its way through the city Jan. 8 along a route that begins at the Gateway Arch before winding through 20 miles of historic St. Louis to Kiener Plaza, Mayor Francis Slay's office announced Friday.

At Kiener, a celebration scheduled to start nearly two hours before the torch arrives there will feature Arista recording artist Toya, local musical acts and choirs from high schools in nearby Belleville, Ill.

The flame will "sleep" in St. Louis before departing from Washington University's Francis Field on Jan. 9 as it continues its journey toward the winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

About 11,500 people will carry the Olympic flame during the Olympic Torch Relay, a 13,500-mile run that began Dec. 4 in Atlanta and ends Feb. 8 at the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics.