North Carolina will become the first statewide...

North Carolina will become the first statewide host of a U.S. Olympic Festival when more than 3,000 athletes arrive at five cities for two weeks of competition starting today. Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary and Greensboro will serve as venues for 34 sports ranging from track and field to archery to yachting.

At stake in the festival will be positions in the Pan Am Games set for Indianapolis next month. Six U.S. teams will be chosen for wrestling, boxing, rowing, rhythmic gymnastics and soccer squads, plus the equestrian dressage team.

Berths on the U.S. Olympic hockey team which competes in Calgary next winter will also be determined during the festival.