Always wanted to own a little momento from Olympic games gone by?
Boston-based RR Auction is selling nearly 300 items, including 44 participation medals, 19 winners' medals and 31 torches. Among the gems are torches signed by boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who famously lit the flame during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
The torch is constructed of gold-plated brass, aluminum, and Georgian pecan hardwood. Designed by Peter Mastrogiannis, the wooden handle represents the connection of the flame between heaven and earth, and is signed in black felt tip by Ali.
It comes with a photo of Ali taken at the time of the signing and a certificate of authenticity.
There are other items that come from the 1996 games in Atlanta , which were held 20 years ago.
The auction is open until 7 p.m. Thursday.
Robert Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction, said the torch is not the one Ali actually used to light the cauldron in 1996.
“They actually made a couple of thousand,” he said. “Some they gave as gifts, some they gave out to Olympics officials. I don’t know how many he signed but it wasn’t a lot.”
Also included in a gold medal from the 2012 Olympic games in London. "People's situations change and medals are put on the market," he said.
"Anything from the Atlanta Olympics is absolutely desirable," he said. "Many of the American collectors were in Atlanta when the games were held. There's an emotional connection."
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