It’s no secret: Atlanta is proud of our Olympic history. The last time the summer Games was hosted in the U.S., in 1996, Atlanta welcomed the world to our doorstep. And now, we’re thrilled to begin the Olympic Torch Relay on its journey to L.A. for the 2028 Olympics Games.
In two years, one of the largest Olympic Torch Relays in history will begin in our city, before heading off on a historic 50-state run. Keep scrolling to see what we know so far!
The Olympic Torch
Last week, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee released a statement about the Olympic Torch’s 50-state-journey.
The committee states,
LA28’s Olympic Torch Relay will be one of the largest in Olympic history, moving across the nation, passing through iconic and internationally renowned landmarks, stopping at major cultural and sporting events and hosting festival celebrations in select cities nationwide.
Where exactly will the Olympic Torch go?
Right now, we know for a fact that the Olympic Torch will begin its U.S. relay in Atlanta. The full route has yet to be announced–the committee states that the full route will be announced in 2027, gearing up for the Olympics.
The Olympic and Paralympic Committee states,
The Olympic flame will be lit in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, before making its journey through all 50 U.S. states in the spring of 2028.
And Atlanta is very excited to welcome the torch back stateside, even if just for the beginning of its journey!
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in the official statement,
Thirty years ago, Atlanta welcomed the world. 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. Thirty years later, Atlanta looks a little different. We are bigger. We are more connected to the world. So, when the flame returns to the U.S., Atlanta will be ready. Ready to welcome it from Greece. Ready to celebrate the spirit of the Games together as a community. And ready to send it forward toward Los Angeles and the next chapter of America’s Olympic story. Atlanta was proud to carry that flame in 1996. We will be proud to welcome it back.
We’ll have your lemon pepper wings ready, Olympic Torch! See you in 2028!