Sports
Sports

Sports Rewind: Muhammad Ali lights the 1996 Olympic torch

1996: Muhammad Ali lights the torch
1996: Muhammad Ali lights the torch
Muhammad Ali lights the torch
Muhammad Ali lights the torch
1996: Muhammad Ali lights the torch
1996: Muhammad Ali lights the torch
1996: Muhammad Ali lights the torch
1 / 7
Boxing great Muhammad Ali lights the wick to ignite the cauldron during the Opening Ceremonies for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. (Cox Staff Photo/Allen Eyestone)
By Juliakate E Culpepper
July 19, 2017

Twenty-one years ago on July 19, 1996, former World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Ali, who won a gold medal in boxing at the 1960 Olympic Games, lit the Olympic Torch tower after he was given the flame by Olympic swimmer Janet Evans.

Ali died on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74.

RELATED: Atlanta Olympic Cauldron to be lighted for 2020 US Olympic Marathon Trials

>> Atlanta 1996 Olympic Venues and how they look today

Muhammad Ali lights the wick that would ignite the Olympic Caldron during the Opening Ceremonies for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games July 19, 1996, at the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta. 
icon to expand image

About the Author

Juliakate E Culpepper
More Stories

Keep Reading

Kennesaw State's Milon Jones is a senior who starts at free safety. Jones isn’t the biggest guy but has earned a reputation for being a hard worker and a tough tackler. (Kennesaw State Athletics)

Credit: Kennesaw State Athletics

How Jerry Mack saw a then-walk-on as ‘one of the key pillars’ of KSU football

Milon Jones began playing football when he was 7 years old. Today he is the starting free safety for the Kennesaw State football team.

60-yard FG breaks Georgia State record set by former NFL standout Wil Lutz

Braeden McAlister provided a highlight in an otherwise dismal season for Georgia State last week when he kicked a school-record 60-yard field goal against Marshall.

Atlanta awaits: Celebration Bowl picture comes into focus

The annual showcase pits the champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in a spotlight game for HBCU football.

The Latest

Kennesaw State's Milon Jones is a senior who starts at free safety. Jones isn’t the biggest guy but has earned a reputation for being a hard worker and a tough tackler. (Kennesaw State Athletics)

Credit: Kennesaw State Athletics

How Jerry Mack saw a then-walk-on as ‘one of the key pillars’ of KSU football

60-yard FG breaks Georgia State record set by former NFL standout Wil Lutz

Atlanta awaits: Celebration Bowl picture comes into focus

Featured

Amber Hicks and Cherokee County firefighter Justin Hicks were found dead from gunshot wounds inside their home in November 2021. (Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services)

Credit: Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services

Man convicted of murdering Cherokee firefighter, wife as they watched TV

The deaths of Amber and Justin Hicks shocked their family and community. On Thursday, Matthew Lanz was convicted on all 13 charges he faced.

Report: Georgia unauthorized immigrant population reaches nearly 500,000

Georgia now has the nation’s sixth largest population of unauthorized immigrants, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

Atlanta airport’s troubled Concourse C food court gets new management

OHM Concession Group will take over the Atlanta airport's Concourse C food court, as well as restaurants in Concourses B and F.