The 1996 Olympic Torch Relay

Promotional flyer for the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay.

Traveling nearly 17,000 miles and involving over 12,000 bearers, the ceremonial Olympic Torch for the 1996 games covered quite a bit of ground before the opening ceremonies in Atlanta, Georgia. Between April 27 and July 19, the torch was carried through dozens of cities across the United States. The route is shown alongside colorful illustrations on this map, issued by the Coca-Cola Company (based in Atlanta) that same year.

(Author’s Note: I have a fond childhood memory of a close family friend being selected to carry the torch, and it made all the headlines in our hometown of Vincennes, Indiana. Rest in peace, Bob Orvick.)