By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay heads to Los Angeles Wednesday to pick up the Olympic Torch.
About 130 runners will carry the flame on a 34 mile route from the Arch to Art Hill on Thursday as part of the torch's journey to Athens, Greece.
Slay says Greek officials will officially present him with the torch when they return from California Thursday.
"Being part of one of four cities that are involved in the pre-Olympic Games ceremonies I think is exciting," Slay said. "We're getting some national and international recognition as a result. So those are all good things for the city of St. Louis."
In addition to St. Louis and Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta will also host the torch relay.
Olympic gold-medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee will be the final torchbearer during the St. Louis event.