BOSTON – Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson of Freeport will be one of three world-class athletes honored Thursday at the John Hancock Tower Observatory city view room.

The two other athletes to be honored are Bill Rodgers of Sherborn, Mass., – winner of 21 major marathons including the Boston and New York City; and Greg Meyer of Grand Rapids, Mich., – winner of the 1983 Boston Marathon in the event’s third fastest time.

The three athletes will be honored for their past running accomplishments by Stephen L. Brown, chairman and chief executive officer of John Hancock Financial Services.

Benoit, who won the gold medal in the marathon in 1984, also won the Boston Marathon in ’79 and ’83. She will be competing in the Boston Marathon on April 19.