The tour will include athlete meet-and-greet autograph sessions, sports experiences for fans, interactive elements, Team USA giveaways and sponsor engagement.

Each Road to London Tour stop is free and open to the public. 

The tour began last Thursday (January 12) with a two-day stop at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas with a celebration of Team USA's top marathon runners.

It then progresses to Utah Gateway Mall in Salt Lake City on February 18 to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Salt Lake City 2002 Games before stopping in New York City at a yet to be confirmed location on April 18 for the 100 days to go countdown to the London 2012 Olympics.

The penultimate stop will be San Jose in California from June 28 to July 1 at a location that will be unveiled at a later date with the event ensuring the US Olympics artistic gymnastics team take centre stage.

The final stop of the tour will be in Chicago on July 13 at a destination that will also be announced nearer the time.

The event will feature the US Olympic Hall of Fame and the Team USA Digital Send-Off.

"The Road to London Tour is all about sharing the magic of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the spirit of our amazing athletes with the America public," said Lisa Baird, the USOC chief marketing officer.

"This programme allows us to bring the Olympic experience directly to fans, while introducing them to the full programme of Olympic and Paralympic sports in a fun and interactive way.

"We thank our sponsors for helping our fans get to know America's athletes and experience the excitement of the Games."

The Team USA Sports Zone at the five Road to London Tour stops is designed to replicate the atmosphere of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The activities will include interactive elements such as a Paralympic station, sponsored by BP, that will allow fans to experience the challenge of shooting a basketball and navigating a court while sitting in a wheelchair.

There will also be an Samsung-sponsored endurance station, where fans can hop on a stationary bike and pedal their way through the London 2012 Olympic cycling venue by watching their progress on interactive TV monitors.

Video messages from Team USA athletes will also be available, while those in attendance can tape their own messages for friends and family to view via social media channels and compare their best long jump to the records of the Team USA athletes past and present.

The special Road to London Tour stop in New York City on the 100 day countdown to the London 2012 Games will include additional elements featuring sport demonstrations from famous Olympians and Paralympians, sport clinics for fans to get in the action and an Olympic programme throughout the day.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]