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Olympic Torch Comes to Atlanta First on the Way to LA28

Posted: September 29, 2026 | Categories: News

LA28OlympicTorchRelay.jpg

Atlanta confirmed as first US stop with LA28 Olympic Torch Relay to visit all 50 US states

The LA28 Olympic Torch Relay will travel across all 50 US states, beginning with a highly symbolic arrival in Atlanta, host of the last Olympic Games held in the US 30 years ago, connecting the legacy of the 1996 Games with the enthusiasm of LA28.

KEY FACTS

  • Atlanta, host city of the 1996 Olympic Games, will welcome the flame at the start of its US journey.
  • The LA28 Olympic Torch Relay will begin in spring 2028 and conclude at the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
  • The full route and details of torchbearer nominations will be announced at a later date.

After the Olympic flame is lit in Ancient Olympia, Greece, and carried on a short relay across the country, it will be handed over at the historic Panathenaic Stadium in Athens before embarking on its journey across the US towards the LA28 Olympic Games.

From Atlanta, the Relay will pass iconic landmarks and visit a number of cultural and sporting events, with special celebrations planned in selected cities.

"Every Olympic Games begin with a single flame, and transporting that flame to Los Angeles is an honour and privilege that we'll share with every corner of the country, as Americans in all 50 states carry the flame on its path to our Opening Ceremony."

– Casey Wasserman, LA28 Chairperson and President

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens shared his excitement for the Olympic flame returning to the city. He said: “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 US, 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."

– Andre Dickens, Atlanta Mayor

Both the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays will be supported by Presenting Partners, including Worldwide Olympic Partners Coca-Cola and JPMorganChase.

The full route will be announced in 2027, ahead of the Relay beginning in spring 2028 and concluding at the Opening Ceremony of the LA28 Olympic Games.

Why is Atlanta significant to the Olympic Movement?

Atlanta’s Olympic connection extends beyond the 1996 Games. The city is also home to Coca-Cola, the longest-standing partner of the Olympic Movement. Its relationship with the Olympic Games began in 1928, meaning the flame’s arrival will coincide with the centenary of that partnership.

What happens next?

Further details about participating cities, torchbearer nominations and other Relay activities will be announced in the coming months.

The LA28 Olympic Games will take place from 14 to 30 July 2028, followed by the Paralympic Games from 15 to 27 August 2028.

Author: olympics.com

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