Amazing Moments in Olympic History: Muhammad Ali lights the cauldron in 1996

When it comes to lighting the cauldron at the Olympic Games, whomever is chosen for that task tends to remain a secret. That person isn't revealed until the moment when the flame is lit. At the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, Muhammad Ali surprised the world when he lit the Olympic cauldron.

On July 19, 1996, Janet Evans, a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming, passed the torch to Ali, who has Parkinson's disease. With shaking hands, Ali lit a holder on a pulley system, which lit the Olympic cauldron. The flame would burn for 17 days throughout the Games until the closing ceremony Aug. 4.

A crowd of 85,000 witnessed the event in person while 3.5 million spectators across the globe viewed it on their television screens. The Olympic torch began its journey in Athens, Greece, and traveled 15,000 miles over 84 days by 10,000 torch bearers to the host city. At the opening ceremony, 197 nations were represented through 11,000 athletes.

Before passing the torch to Evans, Al Oerter, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in discus throwing, arrived at Olympic Stadium bearing the torch at almost half-past midnight. Evander Holyfield, an Olympic bronze medalist in boxing, took the torch from Oerter and carried it to Greek athlete Voula Patoulidou, an Olympic gold medalist in hurdles. Holyfield and Patoulidou ran with the torch together, representing the 1996 Centennial Games in Atlanta and the 1896 Games in Athens.

Ali won a gold medal at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games as a light heavyweight in boxing. He also was a three-time world heavyweight champion. He competed in 61 bouts from October 29, 1960, to December 11, 1981, and had 56 wins, five losses and 37 knockouts.

In true Olympic character, Ali didn't let his impairments stop him from participating in the Games. While his fighting days are long gone, his fighting spirit still lives on.

"Amazing Moments in Olympic History" will be published every Wednesday on teamusa.org.  Check back weekly to see more landmark achievements and incredible feats in the history of Team USA and the Olympic Movement.

Tags: 1996, Amazing Moments