It's typically meant to honor the Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as government delegations. However, in recognition of the gold medal performance by front line workers, the Olympic Flame burns brightly this week.
"It's a simple act of saying thank you and I don't think medical workers hear that enough," Paralympic bronze medalist and USOPC spokesperson Melissa Stockwell said. "It makes me feel good inside, it gives me that sense of gratitude."
Along with lighting the Cauldron, the Olympic Committee also turned the training center and headquarters blue as part of the #LightitBlue campaign. The worldwide initiative started earlier this month acknowledges the sacrifices so many in the health field are making to keep the public safe.
"Venues, communities all around the country are lighting their organizations blue to honor those medical workers that are really on the front lines right now," Stockwell said. "Confronting the virus head on; the USOPC is one of those."
It's a small but illuminating thank you from the members of Team USA, to those who are truly showing us what it means to represent the Red, White and Blue.
"To see that they've stepped up to the plate with the food donations, the "Light it Blue" campaign, it makes me proud to just be a small part of it," Stockwell said.
