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

Allisha Gray and the Dream got to celebrate a win over the Liberty on Saturday for their ninth victory in their last 11 games. Atlanta hosts the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday at Gateway Center Arena. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Record-setting Dream take aim at Aces in marquee showdown

As they jockey for WNBA playoff position, Las Vegas rides into Atlanta on an 11-game winning streak to take on the Dream, who have won nine of their last 11 games.

Top 10 performances from Falcons’ Girls Flag Football Showcase

Grovetown and Langston Hughes had two players each on the list of top performances at Monday's NFL scouting combine-style event at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Fleetwood chases doubts away with victory at Tour Championship

The Latest

Allisha Gray and the Dream got to celebrate a win over the Liberty on Saturday for their ninth victory in their last 11 games. Atlanta hosts the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday at Gateway Center Arena. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Record-setting Dream take aim at Aces in marquee showdown

Top 10 performances from Falcons’ Girls Flag Football Showcase

Atlanta TV sports listings

Featured

Donald Trump's administration deployed the military to Washington, D.C., in the name of fighting crime, and in an Aug. 11 news conference he mentioned the possibility of military being sent to other large American cities, all of which are led by Black, Democratic mayors. And while Atlanta wasn't included in Trump's list, the city fits that profile under Mayor Andre Dickens. (Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC | Source: Getty)

Credit: Philip Robibero

Trump has launched takeovers of blue cities. Is Atlanta next?

Black mayors in Democrat-led cities are at the top of the presidents list for federal intervention. But, so far, Atlanta has escaped his wrath.

Lawsuits backed by Chris Carr signal his political priorities

Over his nine years in office, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has frequently challenged Democratic presidents and defended Republicans.

‘Never had the evidence’: Georgia man acquitted of murder in twisty cold case

It took jurors just two hours to acquit Christopher Wolfenbarger of the lone murder count he still faced by the time the case was handed to them.