History
Atlanta and the Olympic Flame: 1996, 2001 and 2028
The city that lit the last American Summer Games will start the next relay
September 29, 20266 min read
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Third Time in Atlanta
When the flame for the 2028 Games lands in Atlanta next spring, it will be the third time the city has received an Olympic flame. LA28 made it official on September 29, 2026: the relay starts in Atlanta and then heads through all 50 states to Los Angeles.
1996: The Centennial Games
Atlanta hosted the 1996 Games, the centennial of the modern Olympics and the last Summer Games held in the United States. Its relay started in Los Angeles and ran 84 days through 42 states. (The full 1996 relay.)
On the night of July 19, 1996, swimmer Janet Evans carried the flame up the ramp of Atlanta's Olympic Stadium and handed it to Muhammad Ali, whose hands were shaking from Parkinson's. He lit the cauldron. (That night, in full.)
Coca-Cola, based in Atlanta, presented that relay on its own for the first time and chose about 2,500 of its 10,000 torchbearers. (Coca-Cola's relay history.)
2001: The Flame After September 11
The flame for the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games flew from Athens and landed in Atlanta on December 4, 2001. It started its American run from the city of the last US Summer Games and crossed 46 states on the way to Utah, less than three months after the September 11 attacks. (How that relay carried a grieving country.)
The Cauldron Today
The 1996 cauldron, stainless steel with a rim of Georgia red clay, still sits on its tower on Hank Aaron Drive in the Summerhill neighborhood, outside the old Olympic Stadium, now Georgia State University's Center Parc Stadium. In June 2026 Georgia State announced plans to move it to Centennial Olympic Park downtown, working with former Mayor Andrew Young and Billy Payne, who led Atlanta's 1996 bid. No date has been set. Mayor Andre Dickens and Summerhill residents oppose the move.
Where it stands in spring 2028 could decide where the flame's first American ceremony takes place. LA28 hasn't announced a venue.
September 29, 2026: The Announcement
LA28 announced the start in the atrium of Atlanta City Hall, opened by the Clark Atlanta University marching band. Mayor Dickens and LA28 chair Casey Wasserman spoke. Janet Evans, now LA28's Chief Athlete Officer, was there with Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali's widow, and former Olympians and organizers of the 1996 Games.
Lonnie Ali talked about the night her husband lit the cauldron: "I have never forgotten what Atlanta gave him that night, gave our family that night, a chance to remind the world that strength isn't just what you can do with your body. It's the courage to keep showing up."
"Thirty years ago, Atlanta welcomed the world," Dickens said. "The 1996 Centennial Olympic Games changed this city. They introduced a modern Atlanta to billions of people across the globe and proved we could compete on the biggest international stage." He ended: "Atlanta was proud to carry the flame in 1996. We will be proud to welcome it back."
Why Atlanta Made Sense
- The handoff. The last American Summer Games passes the flame to the next one.
- Coca-Cola. A relay presenting partner since 1992, headquartered in Atlanta for nearly 140 years.
- Delta. An LA28 Founding Partner, which presents LA28's volunteer program and runs its main hub at Hartsfield-Jackson. LA28 hasn't said how the flame will fly from Greece.
- Precedent. Atlanta already started the 2002 relay.
In July, before the announcement, I ranked the start-city theories and picked Atlanta for most of these reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 2028 Olympic torch relay start in Atlanta?
Atlanta hosted the 1996 Games, the last Summer Olympics in the US. LA28 said starting there honors that legacy and Coca-Cola's century of Olympic support.
Where is the 1996 Olympic cauldron?
On its tower in Atlanta's Summerhill neighborhood, near Georgia State's Center Parc Stadium. Georgia State announced in June 2026 that it plans to move it to Centennial Olympic Park; Mayor Dickens and residents oppose the move.
When will the flame arrive in Atlanta?
In spring 2028. LA28 hasn't set the date.
Where I Come In
I'm trying to carry the flame for one mile somewhere between Atlanta and the Coliseum. If you'd back me when nominations open, add your name here.