Muhammad Ali authored one of the most memorable Olympic moments, 36 years after he won his gold medal.
On July 19, 1996, Ali emerged as the final torch bearer at the Atlanta Olympic Opening Ceremony, lighting the cauldron for the Centennial Games. It’s one of the many indelible images of the great Ali, who died Friday at age 74.
In Atlanta, Ali received the Olympic flame from swimmer Janet Evans and, slowed by Parkinson’s and shaking, bent down to light a small rocket that eventually carried the flame to the red cauldron.
Evanstells people that she would give up all five of her Olympic medals to live that moment just one more time.